New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday the country has “fundamentally changed” since last year’s Christchurch shootings, as the coronavirus pandemic loomed over a planned weekend memorial.
Ardern said Sunday’s event, which marks the anniversary of the attack on two mosques that killed 51 people, is still scheduled to go ahead, but acknowledged that could change quickly if the coronavirus situation worsened.
New Zealand has reported five cases of the virus, none due to local transmission, but Ardern said she will likely announce new border restrictions next week.
In an emotional media conference in Christchurch, Ardern said engagement with the Muslim community had grown since the massacre at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques a year ago, but that the country needs to continue calling out racism and challenging the growing threat from far-right groups.
Ardern said: “A year on, I believe in New Zealand people have fundamentally changed. The challenge for us would be ensuring that in our every day action, and at every opportunity when we see bullying, harassment, racism, and discrimination, we call it out as a nation.”
Worshippers from the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre arrive to hold their Friday Prayers in advance of the anniversary of the mosque attacks that took place the prior year in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 13, 2020 | Reuters
Hundreds of people gathered at the two mosques and at a closed prayer service at a community center on Friday.
Aya al-Umari, whose brother Hussein (35) died in the attack, looked at flowers and message of support outside the Al Noor mosque, but could not bring herself to go inside.
“We live it day in and day out,” she told Reuters of the pain of losing her sibling.
One year ago, Ardern was praised globally for her response to the mass shooting, after she outlawed weapons used in the attack within weeks and launched a global campaign for government and tech companies to combat online hate.
Ardern said more than 60,000 prohibited firearms were handed in under a gun amnesty. However, her plans to further tighten gun laws, including the creation of a registry, were stalled this week due to resistance from opposition parties and gun lobbies.
Officials have stepped up security for the memorial events, which are expected to be attended by thousands, after a new threat was reported last week against the Al Noor mosque.
