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SCREEN CAPTURE / NBC
Scene from one of the mosques where the shootings occurred. |
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Muslim Americans are urging vigilance in the wake of a deadly shooting during worship at two mosques in New Zealand that left at least 49 dead.Brenton Tarrant, the Australian suspect who claimed responsibility for the New Zealand shootings that killed at least 49 people in two mosques wrote a 70-page anti-immigrant manifesto calling himself a racist, ethno-nationalist and fascist. He also called Trump a symbol of "renewed white identity."
“The atrocity in New Zealand shows us, once again, that we’re dealing with an international terrorist movement linked by a dangerous white supremacist ideology that’s metastasizing in the echo chambers of internet chat rooms and on social media networks," said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.
Trump has condemned the attack but when asked Friday (March 15) but appeared to downplay the role of white nationalism, reminiscent of his statement after a white nationalist killed a anti-fascist protestor. Trump said that there were "fine people on both sides."
"So here’s the thing—it’s so terrible what’s happening,” Trump said before discussing his supporters. “You know, the left plays a tougher game, it’s very funny. I actually think that the people on the right are tougher, but they don’t play it tougher. Okay?"
Trump's critics accused him of fomenting violence by his backers. A day before the New Zealand shooting, he was saying how tough his supporters were and how they might react violently if Trump's domestic policies are not followed or overturned.
Muslim Americans are urging vigilance in the wake of a deadly shooting during worship at two mosques in New Zealand that left at least 49 dead.Brenton Tarrant, the Australian suspect who claimed responsibility for the New Zealand shootings that killed at least 49 people in two mosques wrote a 70-page anti-immigrant manifesto calling himself a racist, ethno-nationalist and fascist. He also called Trump a symbol of "renewed white identity."
Muslim Advocates, a civil rights group, issued a statement saying “as Muslims across the world and across America gather to worship today (March 15), we urge them to stay vigilant and strong.”
The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is issuing a “call for national action to challenge growing Islamophobia, White supremacy and anti-immigrant bigotry.”
“We mourn the heartbreaking killings of men, women and children gathered for prayer in their houses of worship and urge leaders in our nation and worldwide to speak out forcefully against the growing anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hate that appears to have motivated these White supremacist terrorists. In the wake of this tragedy, we urge mosques, Islamic schools and other community institutions in the United States and around the world to take stepped-up security precautions, particularly during times of communal prayer.”
Muslim Advocates echoed that sentiment, pointing out recent incidents of violence against Muslims in Bloomington, Minnesota; Austin and Victoria, Texas; Bellevue, Washington; and Thonotosassa, Florida. In addition the group said authorities were able to stop other planned attacks in Islamberg, New York; Jacksonville, Florida; and Garden City, Kansas.
“We are devastated. Today is a tragedy not just for Muslims, but for all people of faith and goodwill. A house of worship should be a sacred place where people are safe, not a target of hate and bloodshed,” the group said.
The shooters live stream the shooting at social media. Three men and one woman are under arrest, according to USA Today.
WJLA reports police in Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis have increased security around mosques.
In Philadelphia, KYW reports police have boosted patrols around both mosques and synagogues. ABC reports similar security efforts are being taken in San Francisco.
The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is issuing a “call for national action to challenge growing Islamophobia, White supremacy and anti-immigrant bigotry.”
“We mourn the heartbreaking killings of men, women and children gathered for prayer in their houses of worship and urge leaders in our nation and worldwide to speak out forcefully against the growing anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hate that appears to have motivated these White supremacist terrorists. In the wake of this tragedy, we urge mosques, Islamic schools and other community institutions in the United States and around the world to take stepped-up security precautions, particularly during times of communal prayer.”
Muslim Advocates echoed that sentiment, pointing out recent incidents of violence against Muslims in Bloomington, Minnesota; Austin and Victoria, Texas; Bellevue, Washington; and Thonotosassa, Florida. In addition the group said authorities were able to stop other planned attacks in Islamberg, New York; Jacksonville, Florida; and Garden City, Kansas.
“We are devastated. Today is a tragedy not just for Muslims, but for all people of faith and goodwill. A house of worship should be a sacred place where people are safe, not a target of hate and bloodshed,” the group said.
The shooters live stream the shooting at social media. Three men and one woman are under arrest, according to USA Today.
WJLA reports police in Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis have increased security around mosques.
In Philadelphia, KYW reports police have boosted patrols around both mosques and synagogues. ABC reports similar security efforts are being taken in San Francisco.
“The atrocity in New Zealand shows us, once again, that we’re dealing with an international terrorist movement linked by a dangerous white supremacist ideology that’s metastasizing in the echo chambers of internet chat rooms and on social media networks," said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.
When asked about the growth American-style white nationalism in the New Zealand killings, Trump said in the Oval Office, "I don't really." "I think it's a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess."
"So here’s the thing—it’s so terrible what’s happening,” Trump said before discussing his supporters. “You know, the left plays a tougher game, it’s very funny. I actually think that the people on the right are tougher, but they don’t play it tougher. Okay?"
Trump's critics accused him of fomenting violence by his backers. A day before the New Zealand shooting, he was saying how tough his supporters were and how they might react violently if Trump's domestic policies are not followed or overturned.
“I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of Bikers for Trump,” he said. “I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad,” he told Breitbart News, a conservative news outlet.
"I think it sounds very much to me like he’s encouraging them to engage in something that’s probably illegal such as assaulting people, you know behave in a dangerous way," said Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, speaking on MSNC. "That sounds like a threat to me. I think it’s appalling.”
"I think it sounds very much to me like he’s encouraging them to engage in something that’s probably illegal such as assaulting people, you know behave in a dangerous way," said Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, speaking on MSNC. "That sounds like a threat to me. I think it’s appalling.”
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