A mother who faced racial abuse while out with her children has expressed how this incident made her feel alienated in a place she considered home. Shakila Meli, a 31-year-old hairdresser originally from Kenya, was confronted with derogatory comments while waiting at a bus stop in Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Despite the abuse directed at her, she stood her ground and reported the incident to the police.

The harassment began after Shakila had taken a bus to Caernarfon in August. While waiting for her return trip, she waved to a friend when Michael Owen Williams started hurling insults at her in Welsh—a language understood by her five-year-old daughter, Pegah. The little girl ran up to Shakila, distressed, and informed her of the hurtful remarks being made, including accusations that they were illegal immigrants.

The mother of three was deeply affected by these statements, particularly because she and her husband had worked tirelessly for five years to secure their residency in Wales. After years of struggle and sacrifice to make their life legal and stable, being called illegal was especially painful for Shakila.

As Williams approached her aggressively, Shakila’s daughter urged them to flee, but Shakila stood firm. Williams continued his taunts, challenging her to respond physically. In desperation for assistance, Shakila called the police as a bystander intervened to protect her from Williams' aggression.

The police arrived quickly and arrested Williams on the spot. Shakila felt immense relief witnessing law enforcement take decisive action against him. The encounter left her shaken but grateful for the support of those around her. Although she finds much kindness among local residents, this incident made her question whether she could continue living in Caernarfon without fear.

Afterward, she confided in her husband about feeling unsafe and that their daughter wanted to return to Kenya because of the incident’s impact on her mental well-being. Pegah expressed distress over feeling unwelcome in their current environment.

Williams eventually pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and was sentenced to over two years in prison. This verdict helped restore some of Shakila’s confidence in the community’s safety and showed that such behavior would not be tolerated.

Shakila emphasized that everyone shares common emotions regardless of race or beliefs and called for unity against discrimination. Her message highlights the importance of supporting each other and fostering love in society amid ongoing global challenges.