RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago, along with every caring community around the world, was shocked and saddened to learn ofthe tragedies of Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand; and
WHEREAS, On that afternoon, fifty people lost their lives, fifty more were wounded, and hundreds more were terrorized during a mass shooting; and
WHEREAS, This vicious attack was made even more egregious because it targeted innocent members of the Islamic community who were fulfilling their obligation of Jumu'ah, the weekly congregational prayer; and
WHEREAS, We commend the bravery and actions of both civilians who selflessly interfered with the attacker, and the police who located and arrested him while he was on his way to commit further atrocities at a third location; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this tragic event by Alderman Debra Silverstein; and
WHEREAS, This act of hatred, intolerance, and terrorism, like all such acts, represents an assault on civilized people throughout the world, and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms; and
WHEREAS, Rather than intimidate and diminish us, this cowardly and repugnant act serves only to strengthen our resolve to carry on, unbowed, until terrorism and its adherents are no more; and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of all the victims of this senseless attack, and we pause to offer our deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, The cities of Chicago and Christchurch share the common goal of rejecting hatred and terrorism, preserving human dignity, protecting vulnerable immigrant populations, and building bridges of understanding among all people; and
WHEREAS, Our two nations have a long and proud history of standing shoulder to shoulder to face and defeat the evil of tyranny in all its forms, and we continue to do so today; and
WHEREAS, We honor the memory of those who lost their lives that tragic day, and stand in solidarity with the residents of Christchurch, and all those who were affected by this horrific act; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this tenth day of April, 2019, do hereby express our solidarity, sympathy, and support for the families affected by this heinous crime, and express our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones; and