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Thousands stage silent NZ march for shooting victims
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, March 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – More than 10,000
people marched silently on Thursday through the New Zealand city where the
alleged shooter in last week’s massacre had lived, as the country paid its
respects to the 50 victims of the tragedy.
Marchers made their way through Dunedin to a rugby stadium where a total
of about 15,000 people eventually gathered for a sombre vigil, New Zealand
media reported.
The accused killer, Australian-born 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant, had lived
for the past two years in the city on New Zealand’s South Island before
carrying out last Friday’s slaughter in Christchurch, about 350 kilometres
(220 miles) to the north.
A self-avowed white supremacist, Tarrant took advantage of New Zealand’s
relatively lax gun laws to acquire military-style semi-automatic weapons that
he used to gun down worshippers at two Christchurch mosques.
The Otago Daily Times said the march began at the University of Otago,
about 20 minutes walk away from Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The marchers were joined by thousands more who had made their way there
for ceremonies that included Maori incantations and Muslim prayers.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull called on New Zealanders to come together in
support of those left bereft by the tragedy.
“We need to examine what needs to change so that this does not happen
again,” he said, according to the newspaper.
“To my Muslim brothers and sisters… you are a precious part of us and we
embrace you.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced an immediate ban on
the military-style semi-automatic weapons used in the slayings.
Also on Thursday, hundreds of mourners turned out in Christchurch for a
second straight day for the funerals of those killed.
Ardern has said a national remembrance ceremony would be held soon but a
date has not yet been given.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1514 hrs