Christchurch mosque shootings

The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive white supremacist terrorist attacks at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday prayers on 15 March 2019. 51 people were killed and at least 49 others were injured. The alleged perpetrator, an Australian, was arrested and charged with murder. The suspect live streamed one of the attacks on Facebook Live.

Quotes

 * Sorted alphabetically by author or source



Clearly what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.''' Many of those directly affected in this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand. They may even be refugees here. 'They have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is'' their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us, is not. They have no place in New Zealand. There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear that this act was. ''' For now my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected and also with their families. My thoughts are also with those who are in Christchurch who are still dealing with an unfolding situation.
 * Whilst I cannot give any confirmation at this stage around fatalities and casualties, '''what I can say that it is clear that this is one of New Zealand's darkest days.
 * Jacinda Ardern, in her first address on the Christchurch massacre, reported in "One of New Zealand’s darkest days Jacinda Ardern condemns Christchurch mass shooting" One News New Zealand (14 March 2019)

From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned. … There are currently four individuals who have been apprehended, but three are connected to this attack and are currently in custody, one of which has publicly stated that they were Australian born. These are people who I would describe as having extremist views that have absolutely no place in New Zealand and in fact have no place in the world. … I have spoken this evening to the mayor of Christchurch and I intend to speak this evening to the imam, but I also want to send a message to those directly affected. In fact, I am sure right now New Zealand would like me to share a message on their behalf too. '''Our thoughts and our prayers are with those who have been impacted today. Christchurch was their home. For many, this may not have been the place they were born, in fact for many, New Zealand was their choice.''' The place they actively came to, and committed to. The place they were raising their families. Where they were parts of communities that they loved and who loved them in return. It was a place that many came to for its safety. A place where they were free to practice their culture and their religion. For those of you who are watching at home tonight, and questioning how this could have happened here. We, New Zealand, we were not a target because we are a safe harbour for those who hate. We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism. '''We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of those things. Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion. A home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who need it. And those values will not and cannot be shaken by this attack. We are a proud nation of more than 200 ethnicities, 160 languages. And amongst that diversity we share common values. And the one that we place the currency on right now is our compassion and support for the community of those directly affected by this tragedy. And secondly, the strongest possible condemnation of the ideology of the people who did this. You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you.'''
 * It is clear that this can only be described as a terrorist attack.
 * Jacinda Ardern, as quoted in "PM's heartfelt message to New Zealand after Christchurch terror attack" in Stuff (15 March 2019) · Jacinda Ardern says Christchurch mosque shootings were terrorist attack", Guardian News (15 March 2019)


 * Days after a deadly attack on two mosques in New Zealand by a gunman who appeared to align with the white supremacist movement, Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said President Trump's rhetoric emboldens white nationalists around the world. "The president uses language often that's very similar to the language used by these bigots and racists. And if he's not going to call it out, then other leaders have to do more to call it out and I certainly will," Kaine told "Face the Nation." "I think the president is using language that emboldens them." The suspected gunman in the New Zealand shooting had written a manifesto referencing "white genocide" driven by "mass immigration" and accused Muslims of invading the country. He also directly referenced Mr. Trump in his writings.
 * CBS News: "Kaine says Trump's rhetoric "emboldens" white nationalists", Emily Tillett  (17 March 2019)


 * Expressing deep frustration and anger over President Donald Trump’s ongoing refusal to unequivocally condemn white nationalism, critics on Sunday pushed back against the White House’s dismissal of reports that the suspect in last week’s Christchurch mosque attacks admired the president—even as Trump once again expressed support for white supremacist views... “This is a president who peddled the birther conspiracy about President Obama, called for a complete and total shutdown of Muslims, said he was open to closing down mosques in this country after the Paris attacks, has suggested that he’s open to getting rid of Muslims in this country,” said Waleed Shahid, communications director for Justice Democrats, on CNN. “I mean if that’s not white nationalism then I don’t know what is.” The mention of Trump in the suspect’s writings called to mind for many Trump critics the president’s refusal to condemn white supremacists who staged a violent rally in Charlottesville in 2017, his characterization of Central American immigrants as “invaders,” and his executive order banning travelers from several majority-Muslim countries—one of his very first actions as president.
 * Common Dreams: "Trump defends Fox Hosts’ racist remarks as administration dismisses reports that president inspired Christchurch attacker", Common Dreams (18 March 2019)


 * New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed to change the country’s gun laws following the deadly Christchurch massacre Friday that left 50 people dead and millions around the globe mourning following the massacre... the deadliest shooting in the country’s modern history... Rebecca Peters, an international arms control advocate and member of the International Action Network on Small Arms... led the campaign to reform Australia’s gun laws after the 1996 Port Arthur (Australia) massacre. After the attack, Australia cracked down on gun violence, outlawing automatic and semiautomatic rifles. More than 640,000 weapons were turned in to authorities in a nationwide buyback.
 * Democracy Now: After Deadly 1996 Massacre, Australia Overhauled Its Gun Laws. New Zealand Now Plans to Do the Same (18 March 2019)


 * Following the horrific terror attack in New Zealand, President Trump said he didn’t think there was a growing threat of white nationalism. For Fact’s Sake, Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle break down how white nationalism actually is on the rise – particularly in the United States.
 * MSNBC: "For Fact’s Sake: White nationalism is on the rise" (18 March 2019)


 * Last Thursday night I happened to be on Twitter when news of the New Zealand massacre hit. Not realizing the magnitude of the horror... I quickly clicked away, but I'm afraid I won't ever be able to forget what I saw before I did. But the one thing I knew from the moment I saw the guns and heard the words, "Let's get this party started" was that this was a white supremacist terrorist. That macho, pseudo-warrior, "white power" swagger is all too familiar these days... The killer's manifesto, entitled "The Great Replacement," which he posted online...  filled with white supremacist dogma and coy internet tropes designed to troll people who are unfamiliar with the jargon, while speaking to his mates in the racist online forums he frequented. There can be no doubt that there is a growing international white identity movement. And we can no longer ignore the fact that by failing even to admit that such a movement exists, the president of the United States is empowering and enabling it. In using the rhetoric of hate, he has aligned himself with it.
 * Heather Digby Parton "Why won't Donald Trump talk about white nationalism? Because he enables and supports it", Salon (18 March 2019)