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Torres, Palacios, Kilili condemn NZ attack
The administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) added their voices yesterday to those who condemned the terror attacks on two New Zealand mosques that killed 50 people.
“It’s an absolute tragedy, and we condemn this senseless act of violence that killed innocent people,” stated a joint statement from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios. “The Pacific grieves with the people of New Zealand, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Separately, Sablan described in an email to Saipan Tribune the attacks as “cruel.”
“The attacks in New Zealand are a tragic reminder that Islamophobia and such acts of pure hatred have no place in a civilized world,” Sablan said. “The Christchurch terrorist attack by a white supremacist against Muslims in their house of worship is cruel.”
The attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand also caused 50 injuries.
“We mourn the loss of [50] lives cut short in the horrific act of violence in Christchurch, a beautiful community I have visited. We pray for the victims and stand with the survivors and the families impacted by this violence. We will do all we can to help the people of New Zealand,” added Sablan.
Bishop Ryan P. Jimenez last Monday expressed grief over the tragedy, while American Samoa delegate Amata C. Radewagen (R-AS) and Northern Marianas International School manager John Joyner expressed the same sentiments.
International media outlets reported that the massacres occurred on two separate times of the day last Friday. The first was the deadliest while the second killed at least seven people with another dying in the hospital.
