Hobart Mayor Anna Reynolds urges people to join vigil for NZ shooting victims
UPDATED 11.30AM: The City of Hobart will pass on a condolence book to the City of Christchurch following tonight’s vigil in Franklin Square.
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UPDATED 11.30AM: The City of Hobart will pass on a condolence book to the City of Christchurch following tonight’s vigil in Franklin Square.
The book will be available for people to write messages of support at the service, and there will also be a place to leave flowers and other tributes.
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Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said there had been a lot of interest in the vigil and had been shared far and wide on social media.
Cr Reynolds said she would speak briefly this evening along with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania chairman Waqas Durrani.
“It’s important for people to come together and hear a few brief words from community leaders and have the opportunity to express their thoughts and condolences,” she said this morning.
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“They’re not a sister city of ours, but we do have a history of collaboration with Christchurch through our shared interests in being an Antarctic gateway.”
Premier Will Hodgman will also attend the vigil.
Flowers and tributes for the victims of Friday’s horrific Christchurch shootings have been laid outside a mosque in Hobart.
One of the notes left among about a dozen floral tributes read “Salaam alaykum” meaning peace be unto you, “with love from the people of Hobart”.
The vigil will begin at 6pm today.
From my local mosque in #Hobart Thanks for your kind support. Despite our differences in believe and background, WE stand together against hatred and violence. I ask GOD to protect our City from violence and maintain its peace. pic.twitter.com/EfMEPjdask
— Eli Flores (@SeeFlores) March 16, 2019
EARLIER: Flowers and tributes for the victims of Friday’s horrific Christchurch shootings have been laid outside a mosque in Hobart.
The victims of the New Zealand terrorist attack will also be remembered at a vigil in Franklin Square at 6pm Sunday.
The Hobart City Council has worked with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania to organise the event.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said everyone was welcome to join the vigil “to share condolences, prayers and hope for peace and tolerance.”
“I’m asking Hobartians to share their sympathy for the victims and their solidarity with the Muslim community at this unsettling time,” Cr Reynolds said.
“This is also an opportunity for us to stand together and say that hatred and xenophobia are not welcome in our city.”
One of the notes left among about a dozen floral tributes outside the mosque in Warwick St read “Salaam alaykum” meaning peace be unto you, “with love from the people of Hobart”.
“We are deeply sorry about what happened to your community in NZ,” another tribute said. “Hatred has no place here and we hope you feel peace and friendship in Hobart. We are one but we are many.”
West Moonah residents wrote they were “thinking of you, our fellow brothers and sisters at this difficult time”.
“We have always, and will continue to, love and welcome people from all countries and religions into our communities,” it read. “People are people. And most are loving.”
Multicultural Council of Tasmania chairman Waqas Durrani labelled the attack on peaceful places of worship an “act of cowardice” and said people within the community had been scared and frightened by the events in Christchurch.
“Violence of any kind towards any religious group is unacceptable,” he said.
“There is no place for actions motivated by hate, racism or terrorist acts in Tasmania or Australia.”
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Premier Will Hodgman yesterday condemned the attack in the “strongest possible terms”.
“On behalf of all Tasmanians, the Government extends its deepest condolences to those who have lost loved-ones in Friday’s senseless attack on people who were only peacefully participating in religious observance,” he said.
“There is absolutely no place in our community for the hatred and intolerance that has bred this barbaric act of terrorism.”
Mr Hodgman said Tasmania stood ready to provide assistance to New Zealand if required and Tasmania Police were also reaching out to the local Muslim community to support them and reassure them of their safety.
All flags on Tasmanian Government building will be flown at half-mast.
jack.paynter@news.com.au
UPDATED: FLAGS on Tasmanian government buildings will be flown at half-mast out of respect for the 49 victims slain in the “wicked” Christchurch terror attack.
Premier Will Hodgman today extended his “deepest condolences” to the families of the people killed in the violent event in New Zealand yesterday.
Mr Hodgman said his government condemned the attack in the “strongest possible terms”, saying there was no place for the hatred and intolerance that led to the “barbaric act”.
“Tasmanians well understand how difficult it is for the people of Christchurch and New Zealand at this time, and our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Mr Hodgman said.
“I, and the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management have received briefings on the situation and Tasmania stands ready to provide any assistance to New Zealand should it be required.”
Tasmania Police was reaching out to local Muslims to offer support and reassurances, Mr Hodgman said.
EARLIER: VICTIMS of the Christchurch mosque shootings will be remembered at a vigil in Hobart’s Franklin Square on Sunday at 6pm.
The City of Hobart is working with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania to support the event and Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said everyone was welcome to join the vigil “to share condolences, prayers and hope for peace and tolerance.”
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“I’m asking Hobartians to share their sympathy for the victims and their solidarity with the Muslim community at this unsettling time,” Cr Reynolds said.
“This is also an opportunity for us to stand together and say that hatred and xenophobia are not welcome in our city.”
MORE: FAMILIES SHARE FACES OF NZ VICTIMS
The New Zealand flag will fly at half mast.
Tasmania Police Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard yesterday said there was no information to indicate a specific security threat to Tasmania or any Tasmanian interests.
“Tasmanians shouldn’t be unduly worried or alarmed and people should continue to go about their business as usual,” he said.
“The safety and security of the community is our priority. Tasmania Police continually monitors and gains information on international and national terrorist incidents and reviews its counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities as a consequence.”
Unusual or suspicious activity should be reported to the National Security Hotline 1800 123 400 or the Police Assistance Line 131 444.
For assistance in a life threatening or time critical emergency call triple-0.
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