Sanda Dia’s father says "I value what Acid is doing form my son”
The father of Sanda Dia, a student that died during a fraternity hazing ritual in 2018, has said that he values what the influencer Acid is doing for his late son. Ousmane Dia was speaking at the launch of his book that took place at the Roma cultural centre in the Antwerp district of Borgerhout. It was the first time that Mr Dia had spoken in public since the trial of 18 members of the now-defuncted student fraternity Reuzegom. Last year they were convicted on charges of degrading treatment, accidental killing and violations of animal welfare law. They were fined 400 euro each and given community service sentences of between 200 and 300 hours.
After the trial the Influencer Acid disclosed the names of the members of the former student fraternity Reuzegom. The names disclosed included some that weren’t present at the hazing ritual that resulted in Sanda Dia’s death.
Last week Acid was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for three years and a 800-euro fine. He was also ordered to pay 20,000 to the business of the parents of one of the former Reuzegom members. They have a restaurant in Antwerp and their business suffered a substantial loss of customers as a result of Acid’s actions.
Speaking on Monday evening Ousmane Dia said that “There isn’t a single minute that I don’t think about Sanda”.
1,400 people at book launch
More than 1,400 people attended Monday evening’s book launch. The book is entitled ‘Ze hebben mijn zoon vermoord’ (They have murdered my son). Mr Dia believes that the sentences given to those that were involved in the events that led to his son’s death were far too lenient. Unlike the conviction given to the influencer Acid last week, the convictions given to the former Reuzegom members will not appear on there criminal records. Ousmane Dia had hoped that this would have been the case. “The judge had the opportunity to send out a signal that in this society some things are not permissible. But she missed her chance to do so”.
“There isn't a single minute, not a single second that I don't think about Sanda. The question that came to my mind the most: why? I want this book to ensure that my son did not die in vain. I want people to know that class justice exists in this society."
"Acid followed his heart"
Ousmane Dia also reacted to the support that the YouTube influencer Acid (real name Nathan Vandergunst) has shown for him and his family. “I think that Acid has just followed his heart. I think that there are a lot of people like Acid, but they don’t have the same means at their disposal as he does. I really value what he is doing for my son”.
After his conviction last week Acid set up a crowdfunding initiative to help him pay the 20,000-euro compensation claim. In just 12 hours over 100,000 euro was raise. Acid has said that the money left over when the compensation claim has been paid will be donated to the Sanda Dia Foundation.
At the end of the book launch those present gave Ousmane Dia a standing ovation.