Post by Kiwi Frontline on Mar 24, 2019 16:13:28 GMT 12
Christchurch vigil or political rally? Why some people walked out of Auckland Domain event
Was it a vigil, a political rally - or both?
Speeches calling out racism, colonialism and white supremacy at an Auckland vigil for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks had some attendees leaving early, saying it was "too soon" for such discussions.
But organisers and speakers have defended what some called a "political" tone of the Jummah Remembrance vigil held at Auckland Domain on Friday, saying they were "hard truths" Aotearoa needed to address.
Thousands attended the vigil, where official speakers strongly challenged the rallying cry that last week's atrocity that killed 50 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens more was "not us".
Muslim and tāngata whenua speakers covered experiences of everyday racism and violence they face, and spoke to New Zealand's white settler history and colonial violence.
Sharon Hawke, of Ngāti Whātua Orakei, said hatred existed in New Zealand.
"White hatred is its foundation."
She spoke of atrocities committed against Māori throughout New Zealand's history, including at Parihaka, and even Okahu Bay in Auckland in the 1950s, where the Auckland Council burned down her hapū's village.
Israa Falah of the Auckland Muslim community said the Christchurch massacre was the result of the normalisation of xenophobia.
People should call out racism when they saw it, she said.
Zainab Mussa attended the vigil with her two young children but they left early partly because of the "uncomfortable tone".
"Even being non Pākehā, I did feel uncomfortable at times with the continued mentions of white extremism and white terrorism."
While she said she understood the need for a conversation about racism and white supremacy, she felt a week after the attacks was too soon.
"I think there was too much mention of 'white' and colonial times. To me that wasn't a remembrance of the victims and not the way to push for unity."......
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12215680
Christchurch attack: Government announces National Remembrance Service
Exactly two weeks after the shootings at the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques, a service will be held in Hagley Park to honour the 50 people killed.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a National Remembrance Service will be held on Friday 29 March. It will be jointly led by the Government, the city of Christchurch, local iwi Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community......
www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/christchurch-attack-government-announces-national-remembrance-service.html
Was it a vigil, a political rally - or both?
Speeches calling out racism, colonialism and white supremacy at an Auckland vigil for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks had some attendees leaving early, saying it was "too soon" for such discussions.
But organisers and speakers have defended what some called a "political" tone of the Jummah Remembrance vigil held at Auckland Domain on Friday, saying they were "hard truths" Aotearoa needed to address.
Thousands attended the vigil, where official speakers strongly challenged the rallying cry that last week's atrocity that killed 50 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens more was "not us".
Muslim and tāngata whenua speakers covered experiences of everyday racism and violence they face, and spoke to New Zealand's white settler history and colonial violence.
Sharon Hawke, of Ngāti Whātua Orakei, said hatred existed in New Zealand.
"White hatred is its foundation."
She spoke of atrocities committed against Māori throughout New Zealand's history, including at Parihaka, and even Okahu Bay in Auckland in the 1950s, where the Auckland Council burned down her hapū's village.
Israa Falah of the Auckland Muslim community said the Christchurch massacre was the result of the normalisation of xenophobia.
People should call out racism when they saw it, she said.
Zainab Mussa attended the vigil with her two young children but they left early partly because of the "uncomfortable tone".
"Even being non Pākehā, I did feel uncomfortable at times with the continued mentions of white extremism and white terrorism."
While she said she understood the need for a conversation about racism and white supremacy, she felt a week after the attacks was too soon.
"I think there was too much mention of 'white' and colonial times. To me that wasn't a remembrance of the victims and not the way to push for unity."......
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12215680
Christchurch attack: Government announces National Remembrance Service
Exactly two weeks after the shootings at the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques, a service will be held in Hagley Park to honour the 50 people killed.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a National Remembrance Service will be held on Friday 29 March. It will be jointly led by the Government, the city of Christchurch, local iwi Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community......
www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/christchurch-attack-government-announces-national-remembrance-service.html