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New Zealand mosque shooting survivor completes Walk for Peace

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand man who was shot nine times completed a two-week walk and bike ride stretching across the country - all in the name of peace.</p> <p dir="ltr">Temel Atacocugu retraced the steps of the gunman who attacked two Christchurch mosques and took 51 lives on the <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/three-years-on-since-mosque-terrorist-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third anniversary</a> of the shooting.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I wanted to fix this damage,” Atacocugu told the <em><a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/15/1086599199/shot-9-times-at-new-zealand-mosque-survivor-walks-for-peace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Associated Press</a></em>. “Because three years ago, he started that journey with hate.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 47-year-old said he wanted to bless the 360-kilometre route from Dunedin to the two Christchurch mosques and raise funds for charity along the way.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he initially intended to make the entire journey on foot, temperamental weather and the onset of severe blisters and blood poisoning saw him spend several days in a local hospital about halfway through.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The best point was meeting lots of beautiful people and getting great support from them,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The low point was being in the emergency room. But I was not going to give up. I got on my bike straight after discharge.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2423fe0d-7fff-3a03-4924-820c848f6e59"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Travelling by bike also helped him make up for lost time.</p> <p><iframe style="overflow: hidden; border: initial none initial;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fatacocugutemel%2Fphotos%2Fa.109136465031924%2F120754257203478%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday at 1.40pm - the exact time he was shot during Friday prayers in 2019 - Atacocugu entered the Al Noor mosque after walking the final stretch with about 50 supporters.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I made a speech, it was very emotional,” Atacocugu said. “I was so happy. It was a big relief to have completed my mission.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Having been shot in the mouth, his left arm and both legs during the attack, Atacocugu said he often felt pain from his injuries on his journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">Afterwards, he said he planned to recuperate with a long sleep and perhaps a sauna and spa.</p> <p dir="ltr">As his gruelling journey came to an end, an <a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/temels-walk-for-peace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online donations page</a> showed that Atacocugu had raised $NZD 64,000 ($AUD 43,000) for three charities benefiting children: the Child Cancer Foundation, Save the Children New Zealand, and The Key to Life Charitable Trust.</p> <p dir="ltr">As of Wednesday afternoon, the sum came to a whopping $NZD 72,215 ($AUD 67,870).</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e1e544c-7fff-4eaf-80b5-5d5bdc146a3a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Temel’s Walk for Peace (Facebook)</em></p>

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Three years on since mosque terrorist attack

<p dir="ltr">It’s been three years since the Christchurch mosque terrorist attack that saw 51 worshippers lose their lives. </p> <p dir="ltr">Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant live streamed himself charging into Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, both in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">Once inside, the 29-year-old went on a rampage and killed 51 innocent worshippers and wounded a further 40.</p> <p dir="ltr">The white supremacist pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. </p> <p dir="ltr">He was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole. </p> <p dir="ltr">Three years on since the terrors that occurred, New Zealand remembers the victims of the fateful attack. </p> <p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has led tributes in parliament for all 51 shuhada - the martyrs, who lost their lives in the horrific attack. </p> <p dir="ltr">She said the events of 2019 and the Royal Commission showed that the community needed more to feel safe. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Three years on I think it still feels very raw for many. I have no doubt that will only be greater still for the community,” she said, <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/christchurch-shooting/new-zealand-marks-terror-anniversary-c-6056584" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it’s not just for us to remember. We have obligations as ministers, as a cabinet, as a government to keep fulfilling the commitments we’ve made to the community.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Royal Commission has given us our blueprint ... we’ll continue working alongside the community to try and meet their expectations and try and help them as they honour the loss of their loved ones.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The families requested no commemorative service. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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New Zealand mosque gunman sentencing begins

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>The sentencing of an Australian white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand and live-streamed the massacre on Facebook is set to begin on Monday.</p> <p>Tight security is around a court in Christchurch, where Brenton Tarrant, the shooter, will hear statements from 66 survivors.</p> <p>The court building was sealed off with large orange barriers as armed police stood guard.</p> <p>Lawyers expect Tarrant to be the first person to be jailed for life without parole in New Zealand.</p> <p>The hearing is set for four days with survivors and Tarrant making submissions before High Court judge Cameron Mander announces his sentence.</p> <p>Tarrant is representing himself and is reportedly being held in a cell deep within the court complex to avoid transporting him to and from jail.</p> <p>On March 15th, 2019, he armed himself with a semi-automatic rifle and stormed into two mosques and opened fire on worshippers at Friday prayer.</p> <p>He was quickly arrested and initially pleaded not guilty to 41 murders, 40 attempted murders and committing a terrorist act.</p> <p>In March 2020, he changed his plea to not guilty.</p> <p>Prominent Christchurch lawyer Nigel Hampton said the "terrifying" crime probably "needs an extraordinary sentence", while law professor Chris Gallavin said "he'll never see the light of day again". </p> <p>Judge Mander has said the sentencing process was important for the victims, and "finality and closure is considered by some as the best means of bringing relief to the Muslim community". </p> <p>Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said that this week would be difficult for many.</p> <p>"I don't think there's anything I can say that is going to ease how traumatic that period is going to be," she told reporters. </p> <p>Increased police will be around the courthouse and victim support workers will also be present. Local mental health specialists will also be on standby for referrals. </p> </div> </div> </div>

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