An absolutely devastating attack.
Two Mosques were attacked in Christchurch, New Zealand today killing at least forty people.
Forty people dead in New Zealand mosque attacks, PM Jacinda Ardern confirms https://t.co/1tVsfneMG6
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 15, 2019
According to news reports, there were multiple gunmen involved in the shooting and the police have been able to take four into custody with one main man now being identified as Brenton Tarrant who was the one to live stream the entire attack.
Allegedly, the shooter had earlier announced the attack on Reddit. While it was being carried out, Tarrant kept a live feed of the shooting through Facebook, resulting in many people all around the world to call out tech giants and Facebook on their lack of ability to regulate this kind of content on their platforms.
Real life call of duty executed in New Zealand. Tech industry and parents around the globe this is for your attention. #ChristchurchAttack
— ABDUL MUJEEB (@amamujeeb) March 15, 2019
Facebook was pressed to immediately remove the footage off of the site and Twitter took action as well.
Brenton Tarrant's account has been suspended by Twitter. #Christchurch pic.twitter.com/cuGKbIMSKo
— shamimaj (@shamimaj1) March 15, 2019
Following the shooting, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the shooting as one of the “darkest days,” for New Zealand.
What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019
In her address to the public, she spoke in mourning of all the people lost in the shooting and how each one of the victims was just the same as the rest of them, with New Zealand being their home.
RT tictoc: “You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you,” says New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on the #ChristchurchShootings pic.twitter.com/MVBr7W3oDu
— Emerald Picks (@emeraldpicks) March 15, 2019
In her speech, she confirmed that the man claiming responsibility of the attack wrote his own manifesto, showing his concern for ‘white genocide.”
Obviously, the attack was a disgusting and horrific instance and its impact has been felt by Muslims all over the world. Muslims have always been the go-to blame for all terrorist activities due to the actions of a few. And while many of us speculated that this situation would not be any different, social media showed us otherwise.
People all over New Zealand and the world are standing up for the Muslim community through social media and mourning their loss with love and well wishes.
One of New Zealand’s darkest days. My mind and heart can’t comprehend what’s happening in my home country. I don’t understand.
Rest In Love and Peace to the people who passed away because of these evil people/person. My prayers are with the family. #Christchurch— natisa (@itsnatisa) March 15, 2019
As I said, this kind of appreciation and compassion seems almost unprecedented given our ‘connection’ to terrorism. It’s absolutely surprising in the most pleasant way.
This shit has to stop, the attack in New Zealand again shows how bad the world can be. Every time i see this, it sickens me that people will not learn…..thoughts and memories go out to the people affected by this tragedy and it has to stop
— Piledrive (@RealPiledrive) March 15, 2019
Grieved and shocked watching New Zealand horrific mosque shooting. Send my heartfelt and deepest condolences to victims families. Those who were killed were all beautiful souls!
— Gul Zaمan (@zamangul_gul) March 15, 2019
I'm shocked. I grew up in New Zealand. The Muslim community there is one of the nicest and involved within the country. No extremism at all, nice people. I blame the racist media and journalists. May Allah have mercy on the dead. This is white terrorism #NewZealandMosqueShooting
— Jacques Mesrine (@Hustler_Futbol) March 15, 2019
Sheer amount of wickedness put into this sickens me to the core.
I just had to get this off my chest.
I'm not exactly a spiritual person myself but I send my best wishes to whoever was affected by this fucking disgrace of a human being.
Sleep well, New Zealand.
— Noah Mesfin (@RebootedNoahX) March 15, 2019
New Zealand is a country of many peoples and cultures who stand united and defiant against perpetrators of acts of violence and hate.
— Owen (@icanlive4ever) March 15, 2019
Our heart and prayers go to the people of New Zealand and particularly Christchurch city community and those who have lost their loved ones. It is appalling for any one to take away innocent lives. Terrorism for whatever reason must never be allowed to continue pic.twitter.com/9JUGlvCCQV
— Guantai Stanley M (@GuantaiM) March 15, 2019
Of course, these tweets will never change the fact that this event happened and that the mindset of inflicting terror on a certain community is prevalent enough that individuals can carry an attack out and are able to do so successfully. However, hearing this kind of positivity rather than the usual hate is still a huge step in the right direction.
If a mosque can exist peacefully n a place called Christchurch City, there will always be hope for all of us when it comes to tolerance within our countries.
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Cover photo source: Stuff.co.nz