New Zealand is in A State of Shock
By Val
@valmnz (17099)
New Zealand
March 16, 2019 12:51am CST
New Zealand is a nation stunned into disbelief today. Yesterday our small, peaceful nation was violated by a terrorist who thought hate had a place in our country.
Early afternoon yesterday a white radicalist gunman entered a Christchurch mosque filled with nearly 500 Muslim people at prayer and another smaller one nearby. His random shooting killed 49 people and about 40 injured are still in hospital.
Nothing like this has ever happened in New Zealand before. We have always been a safe haven for people of all cultures, religions, nations. The pain is being felt throughout the country. There is some relief in the knowledge the gunman was not a New Zealander.
As our Prime Minister declared, there is no place for hate in New Zealand. Our country will never be the same again.
Our whole country is in disbelief. We are a friendly, peaceful nation, accepting of all immigrants who seek safety in our country. All our hearts are crying.
35 people like this
33 responses
@allknowing (130066)
• India
16 Mar 19
I have been following this story closely. That guy from Australia a White Supremacist did it. Supposed to have come from a good family background. Sad this hate crime is spreading like wild fire.
9 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45472)
• India
17 Mar 19
@allknowing yes hatred is spreading and it is already so international social crisis.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
16 Mar 19
@valmnz New Zealand is such a peace loving country.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
16 Mar 19
Sorry, but it seems that no country is safe when it comes to terror attacks. We have now in France the police at the entrance of the main churches and mosques. It is a crazy world, it looks like we are back at the time of wars of religions because of a handful of extremist haters
.
.6 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79724)
• United States
16 Mar 19
It was shocking to see this on the news. It just makes my heart sadder with the way the world is.
5 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Mar 19
@Marilynda1225 I think it's been happening for years, just now media coverage seems to encourage it even more.
@Marilynda1225 (79724)
• United States
18 Mar 19
@valmnz it certainly does. When did the world become so hateful?
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57869)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Mar 19
@KlyliePot This is the first time I have said this about a president: you are right. I don't consider this president to be American. He is not upholding what I have grown up thinking of as American values and ideals.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (85300)
• Bangalore, India
16 Mar 19
It was so sad and shocking. It is making headlines and those visuals are disturbing. Terrorism is highly condemned. No country should face it or feed and support it.
5 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Mar 19
@arunima25 exactly. We are definitely seeing people coming together here.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (85300)
• Bangalore, India
16 Mar 19
@valmnz Terrorism is a global threat and world needs to unite against it.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
16 Mar 19
I know Val, we were talking last week with my husband and we were saying that your country seemed the only peaceful country in the world. We were shocked about what happened. Crazy mad people are everywhere in our days. I know you are still a friendly and peaceful nation, sooner or later something bad will happen also here in Switzerland, I know.
4 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Mar 19
I believe we had been rated the second most safe country in the world after Switzerland, Anna. Once terrorism reached Australia we thought that was getting a bit close. Hopefully there are no copy cat responses in other parts of the country.
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95165)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Mar 19
It is always a shock to see how much hate is out there. But even more so as your country is usually so peaceful.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Mar 19
@wolfgirl569 all anyone can do is get on with their lives and remember to reach out to others.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95165)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Mar 19
@valmnz Hope it does not happen again.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Mar 19
So many crazy people out in the world now, makes me wonder how can people hate like this.
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Mar 19
I am in great disbelief too, Ms. Val. New Zealand has been known to be a home of peace-loving people and it has been tarnished by this barbaric act. The consolation though, as you said, is that the perpetrator is not a New Zealander. I'm afraid this might trigger stricter rules for entry to your country. I do hope and pray that this will never ever happen again.
4 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Mar 19
@valmnz Hope that would be the first and last of it in New Zealand, Ms. Val.
1 person likes this
@everwonderwhy (6697)
•
17 Mar 19
This sick shooter acted on his own to execute a terrorist attack on innocent people, peace-loving people of New Zealand.
The gunman behind at least one of the mosque shootings in New Zealand that left 49 people dead on Friday tried to make a few things clear in the manifesto he left behind: He is a 28-year-old Australian white nationalist who hates immigrants.
2 people like this
@everwonderwhy (6697)
•
17 Mar 19
@valmnz I agree. But the terrorist did not know this. Our condolences to the people of New Zealand.
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
16 Mar 19
Yes..I heard the news. This was really shocking
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Mar 19
@amitkokiladitya they have been indoctrinated with hate and believe they are superior to others
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
17 Mar 19
@valmnz I don't understand what makes these terrorists harm innocent people
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
16 Mar 19
So very tragic. I'm sorry that so many lives were taken and so many injured too. A dark cloud of shock and grief is now over your beautiful nation.
3 people like this
@popciclecold (35100)
• United States
17 Mar 19
Yes, its very sad, I hated to hear about this.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
17 Mar 19
I was shocked, like everyone else, to read this dastardly crime against humanity.
Love and hatred spring everywhere and most know what is the right choice.
Sadly this person had a weapon of mass destruction and I wonder whether NZ allows this or he just smuggled it in.
All our progress prove meaningless when hatred rears its ugly head from time to time - siva
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
17 Mar 19
Your prime minister has responded so well to the situation.She is being admired worldwide for her response.
As for the attack it is a hateful crime...Whatever religion ,whatever race...Hate is utterly horrifying.
2 people like this
