Bera, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi and Jayapal express solidarity with Muslims in the US and around the world.
The world witnessed another tragic example of hate and violence when a gunman opened fire at unsuspecting worshippers gathered in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, to perform Friday prayers. The attack claimed 49 lives and also left more than 40 people injured, including two critically.
World leaders, politicians and activists across the world have condemned one of the most horrific crimes we have seen in the recent past.
Among them are Indian American members of US Congress, who also expressed their solidarity toward Muslims in America and around the world.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IL, released a statement calling the attacks a white supremacist terror attack. Krishnamoorthi said: “Today, we mourn the loss of 49 lives tragically taken by acts of Islamophobic, white supremacist terror in Christchurch, New Zealand. Those murdered in these acts of hate at their own mosques, and those wounded with them, were attacked in an hour of prayer as their communities came together. Across the world, people of every faith, creed, race, and background must come together as well and speak with one resounding voice against the violent forces of hate, bigotry, prejudice, and fear. This is a day of mourning for the Muslim community, New Zealand, and all the world, but it must also be one of uniting to build a more diverse, more peaceful, more open, more compassionate, and more tolerant world. Hate must not and will not prevail.”
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-CA, wrote on twitter: “My heart goes out to all the families whose lives were shattered by the horrific mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We must always stand against hate and islamophobia here in America and around the world.”
Khanna’s senior congressional colleague Ami Bera, D-CA, too, took to Twitter to show his shock and concern. He wrote: “I’m heartbroken to learn about the horrific killings in New Zealand. We must all stand up to hatred, bigotry, and violence. My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Washington Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal took this moment as an occasion to express her solidarity with Muslims around the world. She tweeted: “To Muslim families affected by the horrendous Christchurch massacre, our hearts go out to you. We stand with you and against hate, always.”
To Muslim families affected by the horrendous Christchurch massacre, our hearts go out to you. We stand with you and against hate, always. https://t.co/YlAeNhAdt7
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 15, 2019
Democratic presidential hopeful and California’s junior Sen. Kamala Harris wrote: “My heart is heavy with grief for New Zealand & Muslims worldwide affected by the tragic murders in Christchurch. The massacre of those in a house of worship, in prayer, is evil & cowardly. We stand with our friends around the world to condemn hate & speak out against intolerance.”