"Chen You Wei", A Silent Requiem
What would you do, when an innocent, hardworking neighbour fell victim to a brutal murder?
On 27th Jan, Chen You Wei, a 39-year-old Chinese owner of a snack bar was stabbed to death near his business in The Hague, The Netherlands.
"The police has arrested three juvenile suspects: a 15-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother, of whom both will remain in custody for at least two weeks. A 17-year-old girl will also remain in jail for the time being. The three are suspected of hitting and kicking the 39-year-old Chinese entrepreneur and his 41-year-old wife right in front of their house in the Houtwijk district of The Hague. The cafeteria owner was stabbed and eventually died of his injuries.
"According to local residents, the three suspects have been fighting with the cafeteria owner for a long time. A good friend of the cafeteria owner said that the argument started during the corona period. 'At the time, they did not want to show their corona pass, even though it was mandatory. Wei was afraid of a fine and therefore asked the teenagers to leave his business.'
"From that moment on, the entrepreneur had to deal with bullying and even his children were also harassed by the teenagers, says the friend. 'The windows of the cafeteria have been smashed once and his daughter was verbally abused here in the Albert Heijn shopping center and pelted with a carton of milk.' The OM says that the cause of the stabbing is still under investigation.
"Local residents of Cafeteria Houtwijk are shocked at the death of the owner. 'He was a very sweet man who was always there for everyone,' says a local resident to the broadcaster. 'He was such a sweet hardworking man. He was always there for everyone and I don't understand how this could have ended like this. This is just awful,' another residents says, visibly shaken. @broodjekaasmetsambal"
Seven days after Chen's decesase, on 3th February, a silent march was held in the local community. Hundreds of people marched in complete silence, in the street where Chen used to work and live. Flowers are placed in front of Cafeteria Houtwijk, Chen's hardfought business, and where the calamity befell him and his family.
"The whole street will be covered by flowers." Said Chen's neighbour.
Maybe, in the real world, not every problem has an answer, and not every misfortune can be foreseen. But, not a single silent song should be unsung, and not a single good soul should perish unnoticed.
At least, this time, the whole street will be covered by flowers.
