A dreadful event in Christchurch

As this man is Australian, I hope we have the wisdom NOT to blame Australia or any Australians for this outrage.
When Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray - people went out and killed stingrays!! How nonsensical was that?

The Sydney Opera House showed a Silver Fern in solidarity, let that be a symbol of peace to us all.

Yes grannyactivist I too have come across fundamental Christians who have told my Muslim friends God rejects them. This is not so much racism as "blind faith" which will not allow for anything other than their own, narrow views. Fortunately, my friends are endlessly forgiving of such foolishness.
Some of my Christchurch friends, all Muslim, are opening their hearts and homes to any, as a gesture of forgiveness. Brave.

EV I would go further and arrest and try anyone who promotes antimuslim propaganda online. Or any othe inducement to hate.

What do you think? ?

The most up-to-date news from a police press conference in Christchurch:

• When they were removing the bodies from the mosques last night a fiftieth victim was found.

• The number of injured people has also been increased to 50.

• 36 people are in hospital in Christchurch and two of them are critical. A child has been to taken to the Starship children's hospital.

• The 28-year-old Australian man has been remanded in custody until a date in April on a charge of murder. Further charges will be made.

• Two people were arrested at a police barrier, one of whom had a gun. They are not thought to have been involved in the planning of the massacre or to have taken part in it but charges will be brought.

• A fourth person is thought to have been planning to help rescue children but, as he brought a gun with him, apparently for self-protection, which is illegal, he is likely to be charged. He is not thought to have been involved in the planning of the massacre or to have taken part in it.

• It seems that all the victims, both inside and outside the mosques, were Muslims.

• The 28-year-old Australian man charged with murder appears to have made adaptations to one or more of the weapons he used.

I think that is just about everything that was discussed, apart from the fact that the police are, of course, doing lots more investigating and family liaison officers and other specialists from the police, as well as experienced volunteer counsellors are providing as much support to the families and survivors as possible.

Thank you for that update Absentterrible as it reads...The Imam in our mosque has said if this can happen in somewhere like Christchurch NZ, it can happen anywhere.
My thoughts are with all the victims and their friends and family .

One of shooters had flown from Australia to murder these innocents.

It is indeed terrible gillybob but I thought an update taken from the Police Commissioner's press conference would be helpful as some posters have – understandably – absorbed some misinformation and then commented on it. That such a thing should have occurred in Christchurch seems unreal. Two good things, related to each other, in this whole awful business are the ways people have reached out to the Muslim communities all across New Zealand and the generous donation of money to fund costs such as funerals and extra care and support for survivors.

OMG yes I read in the news that there is a problem with holding so many funerals so close together. Those poor people who helped at the scene will need counselling too. It’s truly terrible Absent and I hope beyond all hope, that there won’t be any repercussions....... eye for an eye..... revenge attacks anywhere in the world. I don’t know Christchurch, NZ at all, but from what I have learned, if this can happen there, it can happen anywhere at all.

Of course,Anja as well as those anti-Semitics in Westminster.

What a lovely woman the New Zealand Prime Minister seems.

KatyK the woman is unique in that after giving birth last year pretty well went straight back to office to attend to her duties. She is all for her people of New Zealand which is a rarity in her position as Prime Minister.
Pity the rest of the world didn't follow suit.

Did she "Ellan* ? She seems genuinely caring.

Oh yes, KatyK. I remember when she had her baby last year and was reading about her then. The only woman Prime Minister to give birth while still in office. Her baby is called Neve, not the usual spelling of Niamh which is the Irish pronunciation.
They are a lovely family unit.

I'd never seen her before this tragedy. That's very refreshing to hear.

If you are feeling helpless and wish you could help, here is a suggestion: Not so far from where you live there will be a young Syrian family who are far from their own families and countries. They may speak very little English and will be very keen to improve, whatever level it is. These families need friends who will help them improve their English and help them with their loneliness. "grans for Syrians" needed! Our sponsored Syrian refugees are dispersed evenly across the UK. Your local refugee relief charity can give you more information. I can't even begin to tell you what lovely people they are.

They may speak very little English and will be very keen to improve, whatever level it is.
DD is volunteering some time to teach refugee families English.

Sadly I heard from NZ family that the gunshop who sold the weapons was the very same which provided the guns used in their last massacre in 1997 at Raurimu when 6 died.
Far from being a little peaceful backwater, ChCh is known as the gun capital.
Hopefully this will change soon.
People are talking to eachother across the country and are especially proud of the brave policemen who caught the criminal.
Why does anyone need an automatic assault rifle?

JessM what a lovely helpful post. Our local Syrians (other refugees are available ) are indeed very keen to improve their English and make links with the community. Fortunately their experience of integration has been a very positive one with locals going out of their way to befriend them.
My Afghan boys are now men and are about to buy their own business. They are very well liked so I am confident the town will get behind them and they will make a success of it. They have studied hard, worked long hours (often at two jobs), paid their taxes and this is now their home. I am so proud of them - and not just because I can get free food for life when their restaurant is up and running.

Many in Liverpool have opened their doors to take Syrians in.

Who could shoot a little three year old? And a four year old? And a fourteen year old? [sad

I want to hate somebody but I don't know who.

It was hate that killed them

Oh slap my bloody wrist.

Anja Yes, I agree, as long as it is within the law.

May I correct the comment that: "Christchurch is the gun capital of New Zealand"? This is tabloid press rubbish.

New Zealand, particularly the South Island, is very rural has a long history of hunting and fishing and therefore gun ownership. It is not always for pleasure. Many are for government contract vermin killing of deer, goat, possum and wild pigs.

The shooting in Raurimu in 1997 was with a shotgun, something most farmers own.

Gun laws here are strict and you cannot just walk into a shop and buy one.

Tighter legislation was suggested when the last, right wing government was in power - but was rejected. It will be revived.

Gonegirl I understand your feelings and you are not alone but as Anniebach pointed out, that way lies the destruction of our own souls. Hate the crime, as we all do.

Although Ellanvannin was unjustly (IMO) criticised for saying he is a madman - what sane, normal person can take their hatred to such levels that they will mow down innocents?

I will hate what I wish to, who I wish to, when I wish to. And I don't need instruction from anybody on this site.

Thank you, however, for your concern.

And I don't believe in "souls".

Gonegirl I was not instructing you , I just posted my thoughts on the reason for the killings which I am free to do as you are free to post your thoughts.