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Christchurch vigil planned for Saturday at Davis Bay

A vigil will be held Mission Point in Davis Bay on Saturday to honour the victims of the Mar. 15 attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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A vigil will be held Mission Point in Davis Bay on Saturday to honour the victims of the Mar. 15 attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A gunman killed 50 people and injured dozens of others who were worshipping at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques.

The vigil is intended for Sunshine Coast residents to “share their grief and also their solidarity,” said Dianne Baker, a therapist who is organizing the event with another private citizen, Jan Olafson.

Baker and Olafson are encouraging community and religious leaders to attend. “It’s our hope that folks from the Muslim community who are here know that this is a safe and welcoming place,” said Baker, who is inviting those within the community to share meaningful readings, words or quotes.

“Whenever there are tragedies of this nature, we can bear them alone or we can share the burden and remind ourselves that the world is not only a place of hurt and darkness but also a place where commitment to healing, justice, reconciliation and love can be lifted up and shared,” Baker said.

Prior to the shootings, the suspect had written a manifesto espousing extremist and racist views targeting Muslims and immigrants.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the mass murder a “terrorist attack” and has announced far-reaching changes to the country’s gun laws, such as prohibiting semiautomatic and assault rifles.

The March 23 vigil will begin at noon and last for an hour and a half. It will take place at the beach accessed through Mission Point Park. Those attending are invited to bring a flower or candle.