Jacinda Ardern Pays Tribute to Mosque Shooting Victims and Praises 'Acts of Bravery' Seen During Attacks
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addressed parliament in Wellington on March 19, to pay tribute to the 50 people killed in the March 15 mosque shootings, and announce the next steps for the country’s gun laws.
Ardern opened her address using the traditional Muslim greeting: “Assalam alaikum, peace be upon you, and peace be upon all of us.”
“The 15th of March will now be forever a day etched in our collective memories … That quiet Friday afternoon has become our darkest of days,” Ardern said.
She described the “extraordinary courage” of Naeem Rashid, a teacher from Pakistan, who died trying to wrestle the gun from the attacker. She also mentioned Abdul Aziz, from Afghanistan, who confronted the attacker at the Linwood mosque with a credit card machine and one of his spent weapons, eventually chasing him off.
She then discussed proposed amendments to gun laws.
“Part of ensuring the safety of New Zealanders must include a frank examination of our gun laws,” she said. “As I’ve already said, our gun laws will change. Cabinet met yesterday and made in-principle decisions 72 hours after the attack. Before we meet again next Monday, these decisions will be announced.” Credit: NZ Parliament via Storyful
