New Zealand terror attack: Death toll in mosque shootings rises to 49

Ocasio-Cortez disses ‘thoughts and prayers’ after New Zealand massacre
March 16, 2019
https://www.conservativeinstitute.org/conservative-news/ocasio-cortez-thoughts-prayers.htm?utm_source=aimtell&utm_campaign=automated_push&utm_medium=push
Ocasio-Cortez disses ‘thoughts and prayers’ after New Zealand massacre
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It is not unusual for Democrats to use mass shootings, such as the recent tragedy that left 49 dead in a New Zealand mosque, to push their pro-gun control agenda. Not satisfied with such impropriety, however, one congresswoman stooped to an even lower level.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Twitter on Friday to attack those offering their “thoughts and prayers” to the victims of the New Zealand tragedy.

The resulting social media backlash prompted her to offer an explanation — it’s the “NRA’s phrase used deflect conversation away from policy change.” That didn’t go over well either, for obvious reasons.

AOC descends to new low
“At 1st I thought of saying, ‘Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore,’ Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “But I couldn’t say ‘imagine.’ Because of Charleston. Pittsburgh. Sutherland Springs.”

The 29-year-old was referring to three other recent mass shootings that also occurred in houses of worship: the 2018 Pittsburgh shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue that left 11 dead; the 2017 Sutherland Springs shooting at the First Baptist Church that left 27 dead; and the 2015 Charleston shooting at the Emmanuel A.M.E. Church that left nine dead.

But it was the way that she concluded the tweet which crossed the line: “What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?” she wrote.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
 At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”

But I couldn’t say “imagine.”

Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.

What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?

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Social media backlash
Twitter users, unsurprisingly, did not take too kindly to Ocasio-Cortez’s insensitivity, with many pointing to the insensitivity of the remark. “This is incredibly insensitive to my Muslim brothers and sisters who were slain in cold blood while they were literally praying because they want to be closer to their creator and they want to become better people,” wrote Siraj Hashmi.

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siraj hashmi

@SirajAHashmi
 this is incredibly insensitive to my muslim brothers and sisters who were slain in cold blood while they were literally praying because they want to be closer to their creator and they want to become better people.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”

But I couldn’t say “imagine.”

Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.

What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?

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“Yes the one way to show empathy for people murdered at their place of worship is to mock prayer,” said Twitter user Ben McDonald.




Ben McDonald
@Bmac0507
 Yes the one way to show empathy for people murdered at their place of worship is to mock prayer

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”

But I couldn’t say “imagine.”

Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.

What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?

 Embedded video
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4:27 AM - Mar 15, 2019
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Jerry Dunleavy, on the other hand, took the opportunity to educate Ocasio-Cortez on the purpose of prayer. “Lots of people — Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims — are lifting our Muslim brothers & sisters up in prayer tonight,” he tweeted. “We’re praying for the victims & their families and are praying for the strength to make a better world. Prayer unites. Prayer heals. Prayer is good.”


Jerry Dunleavy
@JerryDunleavy
 Lots of people — Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims — are lifting our Muslim brothers & sisters up in prayer tonight.

We’re praying for the victims & their families and are praying for the strength to make a better world.

Prayer unites.

Prayer heals.

Prayer is good.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”

But I couldn’t say “imagine.”

Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.

What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?

 Embedded video
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AOC’s not good enough explanation
After the backlash went on for several hours, Ocasio-Cortez, around 1 am, decided that it was necessary to give some explanation for her original statement.

“‘Thoughts and prayers’ is [a] reference to the NRA’s phrase used to deflect [the] conversation away from policy change during tragedies,” she tweeted. “Not directed to PM Ardern, who[m] I greatly admire.”


Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
 · Mar 15, 2019
 At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”

But I couldn’t say “imagine.”

Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.

What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?

 Embedded video

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
(“Thoughts and prayers” is reference to the NRA’s phrase used to deflect conversation away from policy change during tragedies. Not directed to PM Ardern, who I greatly admire.)

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Many, however, remain unsatisfied, including Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), a former Navy Seal who lost his eye in Afghanistan.

“If you find yourself using the tragedy in New Zealand to take backhanded swipes at conservatives in America – many of my colleagues already have – then you really have no shame and you are part of the problem,” he wrote. “It should be easy for us to stand united and condemn terrorism.”


Dan Crenshaw

@DanCrenshawTX
 If you find yourself using the tragedy in New Zealand to take backhanded swipes at conservatives in America - many of my colleagues already have - then you really have no shame and you are part of the problem.

It should be easy for us to stand united and condemn terrorism.

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Indeed, it should be easy for Americans to stand together against terrorism. But, for such Democrats as Ocasio-Cortez, solidarity in tragedies, along with everything else, comes in a distant second to their agenda.

https://www.rt.com/news/453875-new-zealand-death-toll/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=push_notifications&utm_campaign=push_notifications
New Zealand terror attack: Death toll in mosque shootings rises to 49 - police
Published time: 15 Mar, 2019 08:13
Edited time: 15 Mar, 2019 09:00
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New Zealand terror attack: Death toll in mosque shootings rises to 49 - police 
AFP / TV New Zealand / Laurent FIEVET
Police Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed that the death toll in the Christchurch mosque attacks has risen to 49 people. A male in his 20s has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.


Bush confirmed that a further 20 people were injured in what is now the worst ever mass shooting in New Zealand history. Some 40 people were taken to hospital but it was not targeted in the attack, contrary to rumors online.

"It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. In the aftermath of the attacks, New Zealand has been placed on its highest security threat level according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.


Jacinda Ardern

@jacindaardern
 What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.

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Four people were taken into custody, three men and one woman, in connection with the attack but only one has been charged with murder so far. It has been confirmed that all four held extremist views but were not on any police watchlists.

ALSO ON RT.COM
Dozens of victims in shootings at 2 New Zealand mosques, 4 suspects in custody
One of the four has already been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow but Police Commissioner Bush declined to confirm the name of the suspect prior to the court hearing. The extent of the other three suspects’ involvement has yet to be determined.

When asked if police were looking for any other persons of interest related to the case, Bush responded that “we never assume that there aren't other people involved” but that “at this point we are not looking for any other persons.”

ALSO ON RT.COM
New Zealand shooting that left 49 dead at 2 mosques: What we know so far
He also confirmed that, while there were two Improvised Explosive Devices found on one of the perpetrator’s vehicles (one of which was deactivated, the other is still being worked on by the New Zealand Defence Forces), no bomb belts or other explosive devices were found on the body of one of the suspects as had been speculated as the situation unfolded.

Bush declined to speculate on the motives of the attacker and would not confirm whether clear threats had been made on Facebook prior to the attack and that police had prior warning.

The Bangladesh National Cricket team was due to visit one of the mosques but managed to escape the violence.

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Dozens of victims in shootings at 2 New Zealand mosques, 4 suspects in custody
Published time: 15 Mar, 2019 01:46
Edited time: 15 Mar, 2019 08:43
https://on.rt.com/9q75

New Zealand police have defused several improvised explosive devices found attached to vehicles in Christchurch following mass shootings at two mosques that left 49 people dead.
The shooter entered the Masjid Al Noor mosque 10 minutes after prayers began and let off “dozens, if not hundreds of rounds,” witness Ahmad al-Mahmoud told New Zealand outlet Stuff. He described the man as white-skinned, blond, short, and wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest.

Canterbury Police NZ

@NZPCanterbury
 We have a critical incident in Deans Ave Christchurch. Please avoid the area. We will give more in the near future.

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A second shooting took place at Linwood Masjid, where a witness says they saw a man leave the mosque wearing camouflage gear and a motorcycle helmet, while unconfirmed reports indicate a bomb was found on nearby Strickland Ave.

A Muslim local reportedly chased the gunmen off from the Linwood mosque, firing two shots at them as they drove off.

Four suspects are currently in custody, including one woman, and public facilities remain on lockdown while police are urging mosques elsewhere in New Zealand to close their doors for the remainder of the day. One of those detained has been confirmed to be an Australian citizen.

PM Ardern has confirmed that none of the suspects were on security watch lists.

“I want to ask anyone who was thinking of going to a mosque anywhere in New Zealand today, not to go,” commissioner Mike Bush said.

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Dozens of victims in shootings at 2 New Zealand mosques, 4 suspects in custody
Published time: 15 Mar, 2019 01:46
Edited time: 15 Mar, 2019 08:43
Get short URL
Dozens of victims in shootings at 2 New Zealand mosques, 4 suspects in custody 
AFP / TV New Zealand / Laurent FIEVET
New Zealand police have defused several improvised explosive devices found attached to vehicles in Christchurch following mass shootings at two mosques that left 49 people dead.
The shooter entered the Masjid Al Noor mosque 10 minutes after prayers began and let off “dozens, if not hundreds of rounds,” witness Ahmad al-Mahmoud told New Zealand outlet Stuff. He described the man as white-skinned, blond, short, and wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest.


Canterbury Police NZ

@NZPCanterbury
 We have a critical incident in Deans Ave Christchurch. Please avoid the area. We will give more in the near future.

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A second shooting took place at Linwood Masjid, where a witness says they saw a man leave the mosque wearing camouflage gear and a motorcycle helmet, while unconfirmed reports indicate a bomb was found on nearby Strickland Ave.

A Muslim local reportedly chased the gunmen off from the Linwood mosque, firing two shots at them as they drove off.

Four suspects are currently in custody, including one woman, and public facilities remain on lockdown while police are urging mosques elsewhere in New Zealand to close their doors for the remainder of the day. One of those detained has been confirmed to be an Australian citizen.

PM Ardern has confirmed that none of the suspects were on security watch lists.

“I want to ask anyone who was thinking of going to a mosque anywhere in New Zealand today, not to go,” commissioner Mike Bush said.


A crisis meeting of national security agencies is underway at the Wellington headquarters of the New Zealand national police.

Officers cleared buildings near the mosques, while Christchurch schools have been placed on lockdown. Another witness said he saw “a man in handcuffs being led away by police.”


New Zealand Police

@nzpolice
 In response to a serious ongoing firearms incident in Christchurch all Christchurch schools have been placed into lockdown. Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay off the streets and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.

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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed 49 people have been killed and over 20 injured. 


ChCh City Council
@ChristchurchCC
 In response to a serious ongoing incident we're locking down number of central city buildings, including the Civic Offices and Central Library. https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/3452 …

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Council places its central city buildings in lock-down
Christchurch City Council is locking down its central city buildings as police urge people in the area to stay indoors as they deal with a shooting at the Christchurch Mosque.

ccc.govt.nz
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A text sent by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand reportedly said 50 people were shot during Friday prayers.

Twenty emergency vehicles are on the scene, and six people have reportedly been taken to the hospital, with two in serious condition.

"It is clear that this is one of New Zealand's darkest days," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a press conference.

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Steve Grasha
@RiversideWeekly
 New Zealand Shooter in custody 

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Footage has emerged of police ramming a vehicle and arresting a shooter.

One of the shooters, believed to be a 28-year-old Australian man, livestreamed the attack on Facebook, according to local media, and penned a lengthy manifesto characterizing the shooting as a “terrorist attack.”

The attack resulted in the highest death toll from gun violence in the nation’s recent history.

New Zealand’s three largest internet providers, Spark, Vodafone and Vocus, have announced they are blocking customers’ access to three websites located outside the country that are still hosting the livestream of one shooter’s rampage, an unprecedented restrictive measure Spark spokesman Andrew Pirie called “the responsible thing for the industry to do.”


New Zealand terror attack: Death toll in mosque shootings rises to 49 - police
Published time: 15 Mar, 2019 08:13
Edited time: 15 Mar, 2019 09:00
Get short URL
New Zealand terror attack: Death toll in mosque shootings rises to 49 - police 
AFP / TV New Zealand / Laurent FIEVET
Police Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed that the death toll in the Christchurch mosque attacks has risen to 49 people. A male in his 20s has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.


Bush confirmed that a further 20 people were injured in what is now the worst ever mass shooting in New Zealand history. Some 40 people were taken to hospital but it was not targeted in the attack, contrary to rumors online.

"It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. In the aftermath of the attacks, New Zealand has been placed on its highest security threat level according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.


Jacinda Ardern

@jacindaardern
 What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.

54.7K
3:33 AM - Mar 15, 2019
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22.3K people are talking about this
Four people were taken into custody, three men and one woman, in connection with the attack but only one has been charged with murder so far. It has been confirmed that all four held extremist views but were not on any police watchlists.

ALSO ON RT.COM
Dozens of victims in shootings at 2 New Zealand mosques, 4 suspects in custody
One of the four has already been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow but Police Commissioner Bush declined to confirm the name of the suspect prior to the court hearing. The extent of the other three suspects’ involvement has yet to be determined.

When asked if police were looking for any other persons of interest related to the case, Bush responded that “we never assume that there aren't other people involved” but that “at this point we are not looking for any other persons.”

ALSO ON RT.COM
New Zealand shooting that left 49 dead at 2 mosques: What we know so far
He also confirmed that, while there were two Improvised Explosive Devices found on one of the perpetrator’s vehicles (one of which was deactivated, the other is still being worked on by the New Zealand Defence Forces), no bomb belts or other explosive devices were found on the body of one of the suspects as had been speculated as the situation unfolded.

Bush declined to speculate on the motives of the attacker and would not confirm whether clear threats had been made on Facebook prior to the attack and that police had prior warning.

The Bangladesh National Cricket team was due to visit one of the mosques but managed to escape the violence.

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