Family says woman regrets her racist tirade on train
THE woman who launched a 10-minute tirade of racist abuse at passengers on a suburban train has apologised via her family for her diatribe.
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| The woman was filmed confronting passengers on the train |
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| Mahmood Reza and Michael Awan were targets of the woman's abuse. Picture: Tim Carrafa |
A statement released to the Sunday Herald Sun detailed the 37-year-old woman's regrets over "racist remarks" during last Wednesday's vicious rant.
But two of the targets of her abuse rejected the apology and said the word "sorry" needed to come from her lips.
Mobile phone footage first shown at heraldsun.com.au captured the woman screaming that her grandfather had fought in World War II to keep "black ----s" out as she hurled racial abuse at passengers who defied her.
Her brother read a statement to the Sunday Herald Sun apologising for the hurt she had caused those on the train.
"The woman is regretful of her actions on Wednesday night and is sorry for any hurt she may have caused," the statement said.
"She wishes to apologise to the passengers on the train and any members of the public who may have taken offence to the abusive and racist remarks."
The statement added the woman was going through a "difficult time" and was seeking help for her problems.
The Sunday Herald Sun visited the woman at her home and though she did not wish to comment directly, her brother issued the statement in the afternoon.
Sudanese-born Michael Awan was called a "black ----" after he and Mahmood Seraph Reza took her to task for her remarks.
The have-a-go heroes said they prayed the woman got help, but said the apology should come from her lips.
"My heart goes out to her situation but an apology said by her brother and from her family does not qualify. She is a fully grown woman and doesn't need someone to speak for her," Mr Reza said.
"If you are going through troubled times ask for help. It is better to ask for help than to take it out on people who have literally no idea of the circumstance you are in.
Mr Awan said he hoped the media attention had made the woman realise her behaviour was "totally unacceptable".
"She does need to get help and she needs to be educated on what Australia is all about. We don't need to be talking about colour, we are all Australians," he said.
"But what still makes me proud is that not one person condoned her behaviour and everybody has rejected it."
After last Wednesday's incident the South Melbourne woman was escorted from the train and interviewed by police.
Her 44-year-old male companion was searched and given a drug diversion notice after he was found to have illegal substances.
But two of the targets of her abuse rejected the apology and said the word "sorry" needed to come from her lips.
Mobile phone footage first shown at heraldsun.com.au captured the woman screaming that her grandfather had fought in World War II to keep "black ----s" out as she hurled racial abuse at passengers who defied her.
Her brother read a statement to the Sunday Herald Sun apologising for the hurt she had caused those on the train.
"The woman is regretful of her actions on Wednesday night and is sorry for any hurt she may have caused," the statement said.
"She wishes to apologise to the passengers on the train and any members of the public who may have taken offence to the abusive and racist remarks."
The statement added the woman was going through a "difficult time" and was seeking help for her problems.
The Sunday Herald Sun visited the woman at her home and though she did not wish to comment directly, her brother issued the statement in the afternoon.
Sudanese-born Michael Awan was called a "black ----" after he and Mahmood Seraph Reza took her to task for her remarks.
The have-a-go heroes said they prayed the woman got help, but said the apology should come from her lips.
"My heart goes out to her situation but an apology said by her brother and from her family does not qualify. She is a fully grown woman and doesn't need someone to speak for her," Mr Reza said.
Mr Awan said he hoped the media attention had made the woman realise her behaviour was "totally unacceptable".
"She does need to get help and she needs to be educated on what Australia is all about. We don't need to be talking about colour, we are all Australians," he said.
"But what still makes me proud is that not one person condoned her behaviour and everybody has rejected it."
After last Wednesday's incident the South Melbourne woman was escorted from the train and interviewed by police.
Her 44-year-old male companion was searched and given a drug diversion notice after he was found to have illegal substances.
Courtesy: New.com.au
