What Massachusetts politicians are saying about the New Zealand terrorist attacks
“To my Muslim friends and neighbors, Boston stands with you and loves you,” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said.
Massachusetts politicians reacted with horror Friday morning to the news that 49 people had been murdered in two New Zealand mosques during prayer services, expressing solidarity for the Muslim community and calling for a rejection of bigotry and hate.
“Charleston, Pittsburgh, and now Christchurch,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a statement. “Everyone should have the right to worship without fear, and an attack on a place of worship is terrorism perpetrated against all of us.”
Local authorities have increased police patrols around houses of worship in the Boston area, and Mayor Marty Walsh is expected to attend prayer services in Roxbury at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center on Friday afternoon.
Here’s what Massachusetts elected officials are saying about the attacks:
Gov. Charlie Baker
I am deeply saddened to learn of the horrific terrorist attacks in New Zealand, and my heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the first responders. There is no place in our society for this sort of violence and evil.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) March 15, 2019
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
Boston’s thoughts are with New Zealand and with Muslims all across the world as we mourn the loss of the innocent lives taken from us in a place of peace and worship.
To my Muslim friends and neighbors, Boston stands with you and loves you. -MJW#NewZealandShooting
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) March 15, 2019
Attorney General Maura Healey
Our hearts are with the dozens of victims of the horrific terrorist shooting in Christchurch. We join our brothers and sisters in New Zealand in rejecting the hatred and bigotry that fueled this attack against Muslims in prayer and we hope for the recovery of survivors.
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) March 15, 2019
Sen. Ed Markey
My heart breaks for the victims of the attack in New Zealand and we stand with the country and its people. This terror must be met with compassion for the victims and a demand for justice for those who perpetrated and condoned this ideology of hate and violence.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 15, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Charleston, Pittsburgh, and now Christchurch. Everyone should have the right to worship without fear, and an attack on a place of worship is terrorism perpetrated against all of us. My heart goes out to the people of New Zealand today.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 15, 2019
Bigotry and hate have no place in this country or anywhere around the world. We believe that all people have the right to live without fear – no matter who you are, where you’re from, how you pray, or who you love. We will not give an inch on this – not now, not ever.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 15, 2019
Rep. Richard Neal
It is heartbreaking to hear the news of the senseless murders in New Zealand. Innocent lives taken away in a space of prayer and safety. We stand with Christchurch and condemn these acts of hate.
— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) March 15, 2019
Rep. Lori Trahan
My thoughts and prayers are with the Muslim Community and the friends and family of all those impacted by the horrific attack in Christchurch, New Zealand last night. There’s no room in society for the ideology of hate that drove this depraved act.
— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) March 15, 2019
Rep. Joe Kennedy III
Horrified and heartbroken by the terrorist attack on the Muslim community in Christchurch. We stand with New Zealand and everyone mourning around the world.
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) March 15, 2019
Rep. Katherine Clark
My heart breaks for #NewZealand and our Muslim community members who lost their lives in the #Christchurch terror attack. The rise of white supremacy around the globe must be acknowledged and condemned. Together we can promote love and understanding and reject the spread of hate. https://t.co/wBYa1TglNZ
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) March 15, 2019
Rep. Ayanna Pressley
49 lives stolen from this earth because of a senseless, hateful, islamaphobic act of terrorism in a place of worship. The longer we wait to regulate the gun industry, the more lives we will lose. I promise to continue working tirelessly to put an end to this public health crisis.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 15, 2019
Rhetoric from global leaders drives this type of vitriol and we must all play a role in the healing, reconciliation and justice that needs to follow. To my Muslim brothers & sisters in the #MA7 & around the world you are seen and you are loved.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 15, 2019
Rep. Stephen Lynch
https://twitter.com/RepStephenLynch/status/1106562923906908160
