Southwark Council has expressed its solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand, which has left 49 dead and at least twenty seriously wounded.
In a statement on behalf of the council, council leader Peter John condemned the “horrific” atrocity at Christchurch’s Al Noor and Linwood mosques.
A man in his twenties, who has not been formally named by New Zealand police, has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the shocking attacks in Christchurch,” reads the council’s statement.
“In Southwark, we know only too well the terrible harm caused by terrorism, but we also know that our community is strongest when we come together and unite against evil.”
Echoing Jacinda Ardern’s message that the unprecedented act “is one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” the statement added: “We send our love to the people of Christchurch on this darkest of days.”
Two other people arrested at the scene are being investigated by police, while a fourth person may have had nothing to do with the attack.
New Zealand police have also urged people not to share footage of the terrorist attack, which was streamed on social media sites.
Other London boroughs have also expressed their solidarity with “the victims and the Muslim community in New Zealand.”
In a joint statement, Cllr Chris Kirby, Greenwich’s Cabinet Member for Housing, and Andy Carter, Superintendent of the Met’s South East BCU, said “we utterly reject terrorism, oppression and the victimisation of others.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the Muslim community in New Zealand and in our own borough at this tragic time.
“We stand in solidarity with our local Muslim brothers and sisters on this their day of prayer when they will mourn the loss of their own. We extend our deepest sympathies.”