Michael Neilson and Ricardo Menendez-March on politicisation of Christchurch terror attack

Was it a vigil, a political rally - or both?Speeches calling out racism, colonialism and white supremacy at an Auckland vigil for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks had some attendees leaving early, saying it was "too soon" for such discussions.But organisers and speakers have defended what some called a "political" tone of the Jummah Remembrance vigil held at Auckland Domain on Friday, saying they were "hard truths" Aotearoa needed to address.Thousands attended the vigil, where official speakers strongly challenged the rallying cry that last week's atrocity that killed 50 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens more was "not us".Muslim and tāngata whenua speakers covered experiences of everyday racism and violence they face, and spoke to New Zealand's white settler history and colonial violence.Sharon Hawke, of Ngāti Whātua Orakei, said hatred existed in New Zealand."White hatred is its foundation."She spoke of atrocities committed against Māori throughout New Zealand's history, including at Parihaka, and even Okahu Bay in Auckland in the 1950s, where the Auckland Council burned down her hapū's village.Israa Falah of the Auckland Muslim community said the Christchurch massacre was the result of the normalisation of xenophobia.People should call out racism when they saw it, she said.Zainab Mussa attended the vigil with her two young children but they left early partly because of the "uncomfortable tone"."Even being non Pākehā, I did feel uncomfortable at times with the continued mentions of white extremism and white terrorism."While she said she understood the need for a conversation about racism and white supremacy, she felt a week after the attacks was too soon."I think there was too much mention of 'white' and colonial times. To me that wasn't a remembrance of the victims and not the way to push for unity."Another attendee said they left early because they wanted the vigil to be more focused on the victims."No one disagrees the conversations need to be had, just not last night."That vigil was important to Aucklanders. It was important to me, to collectively show respect and love to the victims and the Muslim community, to weep quietly at the insanity and savagery of it, to be human and together in that response."Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, who also spoke at the vigil, said rather than it being "too soon" it was actually "too late" to be having these conversations."People are already dead, it is too late."A lot of people wanted to separate what happened in Christchurch from politics, but if we have any hope of truly honouring those who passed we need to listen to our Muslim, Māori, Pacific and migrant communities, all saying this is not just about a violent shooter, but about everyday racism."She said she was "optimistic" though, as even though some people left early, most said it was more about timing."I know that it felt like such hard truths for many. I know this is uncomfortable. I am optimistic because I hear most of you who left in protest, saying it was more about timing."These were the voices from the front line of everything we need to heal."This view also appeared to resonate with many Pākehā who attended the vigil.Activist Ricardo Mendendez-March says he understands why people may have been uncomfortable, but he told The Weekend Collective that he felt the tone was respectful. "The people who have been meeting the political call are from the Muslim community, who for too many years have been warning the government that they've been under attack, that they feel the police haven't taken their concerns seriously." He says that politics have to change to prevent another attack from happening.Mendendez-March says he does not believe that the disgruntled voices reflected a majority of voices. He is attending a rally today that has...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.