Thousands rally in Melbourne to support Muslim community after New Zealand mosque attack

Thousands of people rallied in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday to express support for the Muslim community after a shooting at two New Zealand mosques the previous day left 49 worshippers dead and dozens of others injured.

Rally goers read prayers and speeches to honor the victims during the event at the Victoria State Library, expressing solidarity with the fear many faced following the attack.

Thousands of people have joined in a rally in the CBD, standing in solidarity with Victoria’s Islamic community. @CGreenbank9 #9News pic.twitter.com/utIzyx5jMH

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) March 16, 2019

“What happened in Christchurch was terrorism. The murderers are terrorists. But there is no place for prejudice and racism in our society. Racism kills, Islamophobia kills. As Muslims we live with this every day,” one attendee quoted a speaker as saying.

At the rally in Melbourne and there’s so much sorrow and anger. A huge crowd has gathered to stand in solidarity with Christchurch and support the Muslim community in Aus & NZ pic.twitter.com/z4TcjuJZXb

— Joshua Badge (@joshuabadge) March 16, 2019

Several Melbourne monuments were also lit up in red, white and blue, the colors of the New Zealand flag.

The attack spurred calls of sympathy for the victims and condemnation of white supremacy from across the globe.

A 28-year-old Australian national has been charged in Friday’s shooting. The gunman published a more than 70-page manifesto riddled with anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric, including praise for other white supremacist figures.

@iamShaniera bhabi, some more photos from Melbourne’s anti-racist rally today. So many Melburnians came out to stand in solidarity with the Christchurch victims. It was wonderful to see so many Australians come out and support us Muslims pic.twitter.com/fKzi3aJoKu

— Global Muslimah (@globalmuslimahh) March 16, 2019