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Grief in NZ

Sal

Veteran

I am sure many of you will have seen that we have been the target if the latest terrorist attack - 49 people have died including several children. A terrorist opened gunfire on two mosques during Friday worship.

Yesterday there were vigils and tributes to the Muslim community held - and our leader has stood up in this time of crisis and spoken powerful words of unity.

The terrorist was captured - he is a white supremist who live-streamed the murders as he did them and had an evil manifesto citing his inspiration and world view.

I know many of you have lived near terrorist attacks and know the feeling of grief and horror that this can happen.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

rachylou

Veteran

Horrific. Ugly. Truly sick. Just honestly the last place you’d think to be struck by this disease.

Sal

Veteran

What Jacinda Ardern said in quote below.

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Sal, I'm so sad for you all. It is horrendous, and no one should have to experience this tragedy or grief.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I heard about the live streaming of the event from the perpetrator. I’m speechless. It’s absolutely horrific and utterly devastating.

How far are you away from Christchurch, Sal?

Sal

Veteran

A long way Angie - one hours flight or a ferry trip and 15 hours driving.

My nephew’s friend lost his Dad and brother - I don’t know anyone personally. But we are a small country.

Our family visited our mosque and gave baking. We received a tour by leaders and saw schoolmates of my sons. There were more flowers than I have seen in one place.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sal, sadly, yes, I can relate, as Pulse nightclub and the Parkland high school, which were both sites of right wing terrorist attacks in recent years, were within a couple hours of where we lived. There is no quick “feel better” solution. I am so sorry!

I am also sorry and sickened that this attack came from my country. The thoughts published by the attacker and the way he got attention are clearly connected to America, spreading across the world. Again, I am so sorry!

The quote by your PM is beautiful. My son tells me that your neighbor to the east has also come out strongly, banning someone from all of Australia for speaking out in support of this violence. That’s good to hear, even though it can’t undo what’s been done or bring people back to life.

Ps—did you see Lucy’s post? If not, go feel the love there.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I can tell you all that love has been felt and shown strongly where I have been in another town for a music festival. I had actually flown out of Christchurch airport about half an hour before it happened, as had been on holiday in the South Island where Christchurch is. I was flying via that city back to the North Island where I live, to my friend’s town for the music festival. I am proud of our Prime Minister and of most NZers as we are generally a welcoming society. This is a huge shock to our sense of ourselves. Those poor people

Style Fan

Veteran

Sal, I am so sorry for what happened. The quote by your PM is beautiful. I watched the speech she gave. She is inspiring.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, it’s just soooo sad and sickening. Your leaders quote was heartwarming.

Wonderful how you showed your respects. Much love to you. Xo

Anonymous

We are all sharing the horror along with you, Sal. We had a memorial here in my U.S. town yesterday and it had a very large attendance. Your leader is amazing and strong and a source of hope.

The Cat

Veteran

I am so sorry that people in New Zealand had to experience such a horrible act. I can absolutely relate, as I have sad personal memories of the terrorist attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011. Unfortunately, I had to walk through the capital, Oslo, that night, right after the bomb explosion, and it was like being in a war zone. I will never forget neither the smell of fear (for more bombs), nor the painful, shocking news (a few hours later) that as many as 77 persons had lost their lives and countless others had been hurt. Most people I know, knew someone who was deeply affected by that huge tragedy. The sight of the ruined governmental buildings (where I myself had worked for years) left a lasting sad impression in my mind. But worst of all were the heartbreaking stories from the youths who had survived the terrible killings on the island of Utøya outside Oslo and had witnessed dozens of their friends die.

I am horrified to hear that the terrorist in NZ is said to have been inspired and influenced by the terrorist in Norway.

However, I take great comfort in knowing the good news from the Bible that in near future, God will bring an end to all such violent acts and make the whole earth a peaceful place. “[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) You can read more about this wonderful promise here: https://www.jw.org/en/publicat.....suffering/

Sal

Veteran

Thanks The Cat for sharing your thoughts and prayers. I think we all remember the horrific day in Oslo - so sorry you were caught up in this. Especially awful for vulnerable youths.

Jenni - yes Jacinda Ardern has spoken calmly wisely and decisively. We all have work to do but I am hopeful that we can respond with strength unity and compassion.

Thanks Stylefan, Xtabay, Angie, Firecracker, Rachylou and Fashintern. Words do matter at these times - especially carefully chosen kind and supportive ones. There has also been some clever art created - see below.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, how moving,

Bijou

Veteran

Sal I admire the New Zealand spirt so much and how the community has supported those who lost family & friends. It is heartbreaking and Australia is reeling in grief too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Here in Annapolis, we are feeling the sympathy most keenly. My heart breaks that so much hate and violence is being stoked. Holding our Kiwi friends in our hearts.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am so impressed with Jacinda Ardern. The art work is lovely. So moving.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Such sad news.

Eliza

Veteran

Thinking of all in New Zealand. The horror is great. The response of citizens and the Prime Minister has been exemplary and moving, while offering direct support to the victims and their families.

Beth Ann

Veteran

After hearing of the horrendous crime in peaceful NZ, I called my teens downstairs . We had a talk about the importance of choosing healthy "voices" listen to -- how to eschew news outlets, blogs, or clubs that encourage division -- especially, but not only, those that seem to be aggressive and combative. To remember that you can't love Jesus with out loving your neighbor. And to get to know your neighbor, especially when they're different from you.

A muslim family lives just across the street --- We don't get together often, but we've shared dinner together. There is great power in sitting around a table and sharing a meal with people who aren't just like you. This family is boisterous and fun and generous. I intend to be more intentional about opening my table this year.

Blessing on our NZ neighbors.

Sal

Veteran

As a small nation it is like one state being affected in the USA- our population is similar to Alabama or more than Oregon and less than Minnesota.

It makes unity and response easier because it is an affront to us.

The tragedy has shown that our gun laws are inadequate (that is being addressed and some retailers have removed semi automatic weapons immediately). And that while we have responded well to the crisis - there is an undercurrent of racism and exclusion here which we need to work on.

Beth Ann - that is exactly the right approach I believe, thank you for sharing that.

kkards

Veteran

Sal--i've not had a lot of time to be on YLF this week so i missed this post....i unforturently live less than a mile from the where we experienced this horror in Pittsburgh last year....my heart goes out to you, your community and your nation....i'm hoping that your nation finds a way to combat this hate, or at least contain the damage that this hate can lead to...

Helen11

Veteran

So saddened by this horrible attack. Sending love to you.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Helen.

Kkards - I remembered that - very close to home.

So far the good that has come from the tragedy is the breaking down of some walls between communities....and the acknowledgement that we have had some issues in our society.

Yesterday our gun laws have been addressed and improved in a bipartisan move.

To be balanced I like to see how others think of these matters. I looked at the comments on the Fox News Page - they were so awful I have been feeling distressed since. The overt racism, stupidity and ideology is truly frightening. I do understand that commenters on a Fox News page will not approve of a gun law change of course.

Today I am off to the local park 5 mins walk from my house to the 1 week vigil including 2 minutes silence and a Call to Prayer.

Style Fan

Veteran

Sal, I am also distressed by some of the comments from sources like Fox News.

So many of us do not feel that way.