The stark knowledge and its emergent power following the horrific massacre of 50 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand, is that hate can be perpetrated anywhere, and at any time, by forces inimical to national life and peaceful co-existence. Also among the emergent knowledge from last week’s brutality is accessibility, perpetration, and its real-time online dispersal were among key objectives in the shooter’s mind, apparently embedded in a manifesto believed to have been written by the suspect, which stated the intention to send the message “nowhere in the world is safe”.
Also emergent out of this evil was removal of the notion it was a deployment of random violence in an isolated space. That the murders were streamed live on social media brought this premeditated action into globalised confluence with the chilling historicity of Quebec City, where two years ago six Muslims were killed at a mosque; and with the synagogue in Pittsburgh last year, where 11 worshippers were shot to death.
The sobering knowledge from this connectivity is such barbarity of murderous, premeditated firepower is possible anywhere, at any time; that it is global, trending, and as evidenced last week, deployable as power from the barrel of a gun via social media, and capable of being broadcast online from any corner of the world. Sadly, what is now apparent is the entire world now must beware the Ides of March.
Yet New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, is showing us the way how to adequately respond to these chilling acts, telling us last week, even as she condemned the terrorism, that all victims are to be embraced – that each individual is intrinsic to the national body. As she eloquently stated, the victims “have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home. They are us”; additionally, the perpetrators of such violence “have no place in New Zealand”.
Ardern’s response realistically frames last week’s attack as one not perpetrated against an isolated group; instead, it notes the sweep of gunfire was aimed at all New Zealanders; similarly, as it was in Quebec City against all Canadians, and in Pittsburgh, against the entire US, and the many other afflicted sites of violence.

Our community joins with world leaders, in Canada, and the Caribbean Community, in expressing shock at the March 15 attack in Christchurch. We share the words of Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who in extending condolences to the families and friends that lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy, added, “To the people of New Zealand and to Muslim communities around the world: you are in our hearts and minds. We join in your grief and stand with you at this incredibly difficult time.”
Trudeau adds: “Far too often, Muslims suffer unimaginable loss and pain in the places where they should feel safest. Canada remembers too well the sorrow we felt when a senseless attack on the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Ste-Foy claimed the lives of many innocent people gathered in prayer… To move forward as a world, we need to recognise diversity as a source of strength, and not a threat…”
The Caribbean Community also indicated solidarity, saying, “[We condemn] in the strongest possible terms this savage act of terrorism perpetrated at places of worship where people would normally find sanctuary and peace. No ideology or philosophy could justify such gruesome acts.”
Additionally, “Our community stands in solidarity today with the government and people of New Zealand, a country renowned for its diversity and tranquillity. We are confident that this horrendous incident will strengthen the traditional values of peace and harmony for which New Zealand is well-known… Caricom extends its deepest sympathies to the government and people of New Zealand, and its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.”