Bristol students attend vigil for Christchurch victims
By Leah Martindale, Third Year Film and Television
University representatives, students, community leaders and local Bristol residents gathered for a vigil to honour the 50 known fatalities of the mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The vigil took place at 6pm on Monday 18 March at the Harbourside fountains, with a number of speakers addressing those who came to pay their respects.
The master of ceremonies was Bristol SU Islamic Society’s Interfaith Representative, Khadija Meghrawi, who opened with a speech: ‘dinner table racism, casual racism… “It doesn’t matter does it, it’s just words?” These words facilitate the breeding ground of acts like this.’
Speakers also included Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, who warned against ‘[falling] into these traps set by the mongers of hate.’ He also implored listeners not to watch the video livestreamed of the massacre, a sentiment shared by later speakers.
Rees announced plans to engage with the community: ‘it won’t just be the usual suspects, the ones who want to reach out. [We will be] reaching out to those vulnerable to being recruited.’
Mayor Marvin Rees addressing crowd
Image: Epigram / Leah Martindale
He also said that his office has written to the Mayor of Christchurch expressing condolences for the tragedy. Anyone wishing to add messages can email the Mayor’s office.
Other speakers included representatives from ‘Kiwis and Aussies in Bristol’, whose message was: ‘You should have been safe at home, and I’m sorry.’
Members of the Islamic Society and SU Officers Nasra Ayub and Sally Patterson were also in attendance. Nasra Ayub said to the crowd: ‘Let’s fight hate with love, let’s educate each other, let’s respect one another.’
The Area Dean for South Bristol Church of England told the crowd ‘we were weeping with you and weeping for Christchurch.’ A council member for a local Muslim collective highlighted that ‘What this terrorist didn’t anticipate was that we will not be divided.’
Image: Epigram / Leah Martindale
Bristol Stop the War, Stand Up to Racism, and the Multifaith Forum were amongst others to speak, all placing emphasis on the need for unity, community, and allyship in politically tumultuous times.
The Harbourside fountains has previously been the site of vigils for MP Jo Cox’s murder by a far-right extremist in 2016, and the Charlottesville attack in 2017.
Third year student Consuela Sutherland, who attended the Christchurch vigil, said: ‘I think it’s important for students to attend this event because although we may only be visitors for two or three years, [Bristol] definitely becomes a home and a community.
‘We need to stand with those around us if they are facing any prejudice or racism. They’ve welcomed us into their city, so why shouldn’t we be there for them?’
Featured Image: Epigram / Leah Martindale