People can’t believe this Australian politician’s response to the NZ terror attacks
The world woke up to the terrible news today that 49 people have been killed and at least 20 wounded in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described an alleged gunman, who had Australian citizenship, as an “extremist, right-wing” terrorist.
But amid all the outpourings of horror, sympathy and sheer disbelief came this from Australian politician Fraser Anning, the independent senator for Queensland.
After the devastating attacks on mosques in Christchurch today, this is Queensland Senator Fraser Anning’s response #auspol pic.twitter.com/eLKzIXjBcQ
— Felicity Caldwell (@fel_caldwell) March 15, 2019
So while he is ‘utterly opposed to any form of violence … what it highlights is the growing fear within our community, both in Australia and New Zealand, of the increasing Muslim presence.
‘As always, left-wing politicians and the media will rush to claim that the causes of today’s shootings lie with gun laws or those who hold nationalist views but this is all clichéd nonsense.
‘The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.’
To which we are temporarily lost for words. Fortunately, these people weren’t.
40 people killed in a mass shooting and an elected politician rushes to blame the victims for being in the country to get shot. Has the whole world lost its fucking mind? https://t.co/d2iZuUYaYD
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) March 15, 2019
Scores of Muslims have just died in terrorist attacks on places of worship. Fuelled by the spread of Islamophobia online. Families are in mourning. And yet somehow it is Muslims’ fault. It’s not fair. pic.twitter.com/5TVtTwDtAl
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 15, 2019
“Here is one sentence condemning the gunman HOWEVER here are 7 paragraphs justifying why they have been shot”
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) March 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/SpillerOfTea/status/1106474388587794433
This is so vile I almost don't want to share it, but that an elected politician can issue this response to the terrorist murder of 40 innocent people tells us something important about the extent of Islamophobia. https://t.co/Ld76Dp85U7
— Jo Swinson (@joswinson) March 15, 2019
This could be the most extraordinary and disgusting response to a terrorist attack ever. https://t.co/aOXCg3jyYC
— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) March 15, 2019
Are you f*cking kidding me???? This guy is an Australian senator? SHAME on you @fraser_anning.
I hope your fellow Australians respond to this disgusting statement with the same blind fury I am feeling. pic.twitter.com/W2XuX3fWkZ— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 15, 2019
It’s less than two years since @tonygallagher published the headline ‘We Need Less Islam’ in The Sun. We don’t get to condemn racist Australian politicians blaming the Christchurch attacks on the victims while his sentiments are echoed in our country’s bestselling newspaper.
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) March 15, 2019
What a vile, disgusting human. Actually, he’s not human. Scratch that bit. https://t.co/YyHmw5bZ30
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) March 15, 2019
We were grateful to Jim Felton for also sharing this.
Here’s the speech from the NZ prime minister, as a sort of antidote pic.twitter.com/9a4SO4Lzvb
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) March 15, 2019
And here’s a little bit more about that Australian politician, from Felicity Caldwell.
For everyone asking if this is real, yes, it came from Fraser Anning’s office.
Aside from this, the #ChristchurchMosque attack has been met with shock, condemnation and sympathy across the political divide in Australia.
— Felicity Caldwell (@fel_caldwell) March 15, 2019
For context for anyone outside Australia, Fraser Anning received just 19 votes. He only got a seat in the Senate after One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts was disqualified. Anning was widely condemned for his “final solution” speech last year. https://t.co/O19h5bn4Es
— Felicity Caldwell (@fel_caldwell) March 15, 2019
Australia’s Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP has condemned Fraser Anning’s statement, describing it as disgusting. “Those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian Parliament.” https://t.co/NAZSq0UFl0
— Felicity Caldwell (@fel_caldwell) March 15, 2019
And here is the former Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
Fraser Anning’s comments today are contemptible. He is a disgrace to the Senate and what is worse by spreading hatred and turning Australians against each other he is doing exactly what the terrorists want.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) March 15, 2019
Or, to put it another way.
Does anyone still dispute the link between Muslim immigration and violence?
— Senator Fraser Anning (@fraser_anning) March 15, 2019
shut the fuck up
— Eleanor Robertson (@marrowing) March 15, 2019