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Seattle responds to Christchurch with sadness, efforts to make Washington safer for Muslim and minority communities

3-year-old Muca Abdi is reported to be the youngest victim in the attack (Image via @KhaledBeydoun)

Local leaders and organizations have responded to the murders of the Christchurch terror attack with sorrow, denouncement of the hate behind the act, and updates about making things safer for Muslim and minority communities in the aftermath of the killings that left dozens dead in New Zealand.

“This cowardly act is additional evidence that hate is on the rise. Now, more than ever, we must work to combat hate and heal together – because an attack on one community is an attack on all our communities,” the AntiDefamation League – Pacific Northwest said in a statement. “In an act of solidarity and allyship, we recommend that you search for your nearest vigil and show your support by showing up.”

CAIR-Washington and the Muslim Association of Puget Sound will hold an interfaith vigil Monday night in Redmond.

43rd District Rep. Nicole Macri denounced the violence and detailed legislation to help support immigrant communities in the state and crack down on dangerous firearms.

“Please know that the legislature is taking action to support immigrant communities and stop people who are determined to kill,” Macri said. “This year I am hopeful we will pass legislation to ban untraceable and undetectable ‘ghost guns’ (HB 1739), close an emerging loophole in pistol transfers (HB 1465), and expand the Washington Law Against Discrimination to include a prohibition on discrimination based on immigration or citizenship status (SB 5165).”

“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we mourn those whose lives were taken in New Zealand. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community worldwide during this terrible time,” Gov. Jay Inslee and Democratic presidential candidate said in a statement. “Hateful rhetoric leads to hateful violence. We must continue to speak loudly and stand strong for the rights of people of all faiths, orientations and nationalities.”

The Seattle Police Department, meanwhile, said it “stands with our Muslim community” and asked people to be vigilant.

“We have reached out to local mosques offering any assistance they might need,” the SPD statement on the tragedy reads. “Although there are no imminent threats to Seattle we are working closely with federal, state and local partners to monitor the situation.”

“If you see something. Say something,” they write.

 

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