Hundreds of locals came to the Armidale Mall on Saturday morning to take part in a memorial event to show support for the Jewish Community after last weekend’s Chanukah Massacre.
Around 400 people, spread out through the mall seeking shade on an unusually warm day yesterday, heard from a panel of speakers from across the Armidale community. Most spoke of how difficult it was to comprehend what had happened, the challenge of explaining it to children, and the need to seek peace.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland spoke of how shocked he was, and how the events hit him at an earlier reflection held at Armidale City Church on Wednesday.
“I’m usually pretty stoic, but I was really moved by the fact these people were targeted,” he said.
New England Times publisher Raphaella Kathryn Crosby spoke of her time living in the Jewish community in Bondi and her intense “emotional rollercoaster” through the week learning that people she knew had been killed and injured, but her closest friends were ok.
“It takes time and patience to allow all these emotions to wash over you and not react in ways that can only cause more harm.”
“We, as a nation, need to sit with the awfulness of this event, to feel it, to process it, before we can move on,” she said.
New England Police Inspector Greg Ryan said Sunday’s terror attack was “quite simply evil” and assured that New South Wales Police will take strong action against anyone who engages in criminal activity that is motivated by hate.
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and UNE Vice Chancellor Chris Moran both spoke of the challenge of you explain to children why 15 people were killed because of their identity.
“We’re at our best when we’re united, when we reject hatred, when we reject division, and that, that’s what we’re doing today,” Mr Moylan said.
“No one should live in fear or have to hide who they are,” Vice Chancellor Moran said.
Salam Qaro spoke on behalf of the Ezidi community, passionately relating how, for them, the attempts of ISIS to wipe out their people and religion is not a matter of history, but a fresh memory.
“We mourn the innocent lives taken in a brutal attack at Bondi Beach, lives stolen not by chance but by hatred.”
“The Ezidi community stands firmly and publicly in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the Jewish community.”
Bishop Rod Chiswell spoke representing all the churches in town and reminded the audience that the Christian and Jewish communities have a close shared history.
“The tragic events of last weekend are a stark reminder that we’re not in heaven yet. We live in a world marred by human sinfulness.”
Local Aniwan Elder Steve Widders wasn’t planning to speak, but was asked to, and speaking off the cuff added a poignant depth of history to the moment, reminding those gathered that multiculturalism – and massacres – are not new to this land.
Dr Rana Aamir spoke on behalf of the local Muslim community, reiterating the words of many other Muslim leaders this week that terrorism has no religion, and the actions of the terrorists has no place in Islam.
“In the words of the Prophet Mohammed, may peace be upon him, whomever kills an innocent person is said to have killed all of humanity.”
The last speaker was Tal Kanety, an Israeli Jew who moved to the region 15 years ago. He spoke of how they came to “the new promised land” of Australia to escape the dangerous reality of life in Israel. He said allowing the kind of hate we saw in Bondi last weekend to go unchecked was what “turned the land of milk and honey into a land of war and pain”.
“The silent majority must speak out now,” he said. “Do not wait until this peace of heaven is ruined.”
A minute’s silence was held after the names of the 15 killed were read out.
The crown then laid flowers on the stage in the Mall, which will stay there and people are invited to keep adding flowers to the memorial if they wish.
Sunday December 21 has been proclaimed as a national day of reflection with many events planned around the country. Everyone is being asked to light a candle and put it in their window for 10 minutes at 6.57pm to show solidarity with the Jewish community. Donations to support the families of those killed and injured can be made through the Support Sydney appeal, where donations can be made to support specific individuals or to a collection fund.
If you find this story upsetting, please seek assistance:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- 13YARN on 13 92 76
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Jewish House 1300 544 357
Donate to support the victims at Support Sydney