In a speech addressing parliament in Wellington on Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern refused to name the terrorist responsible for Friday’s attack in Christchurch.
“A 28-year-old man, an Australian citizen, has been charged with one count of murder. Other charges will follow,” she began.
“He will face the full force of the law in New Zealand. The families of the fallen will have justice.
Watch Jacinda Ardern’s speech in parliament. Post continues after video.
“He sought many things from his act of terror, one was notoriety. And that is why you will never hear me mention his name.
“He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless.
“And to others, I implore you. Speak the names of those who are lost rather than the name of the man who took them.
“He may have sought notoriety, but we in New Zealand will give him nothing, not even his name,” she said.
Mamamia’s daily news podcast The Quicky on the people we should be remembering in the wake of Christchurch. Post continues after audio.
At 1.40pm on Friday afternoon, an alleged white supremacist opened fire targeting two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where Muslims were gathering for their afternoon prayer.
As it stands, at least 50 people have been killed, with another 34 injured.
Ardern has been praised globally for her empathy and pragmatism in the wake of the country’s worst ever massacre, after vowing to change gun laws, pay the funeral costs of the victims, and provide financial assistance for the victim’s families moving forward.
For more on this topic:
These are the names and faces of all the known victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack.
Why the world can’t look away from Jacinda Ardern in the wake of the Christchurch attack.
“These won’t be my best words…” Waleed Aly’s moving monologue on Christchurch.
Top Comments
Thanks for not using the attackers name in this article, like you did in other articles. I admire Jacinta Arden so much, and it makes me so angry that so many news reporters are reporting her words about not naming the attacker, and then NAMING THE ATTACKER. Such a slap in the face to the victims and what Jacinta Arden is trying to achieve. Please ensure all articles on Mamamia are as respectful as this one, thank you.
I'm so glad for this. This is what I said on here a couple of days ago. The shooter's name should not be uttered. Thank you Mamamia.