Chelsea Clinton.Photo: Dimitris Legakis/REX/Shutterstock
According to theWashington Post, Clinton, who ispregnant with her third child, attended a vigil in New York City for the victims of theChristchurch mass shooting, which left at least 49 people dead and 20 injured at two mosques on Friday. Clinton, who co-founded theOf Many Institute, an multifaith organization at NYU, had been invited to attend the vigil.
“I want you to know that and I want you to feel that deep down inside. Forty-nine people died because of the rhetoric you put out there,” the student added.
“Certainly, it was never my intention. I do believe words matter. I believe we have to show solidarity,” she added.
Before the end of the clip, another student, who was not visible, could be heard asking Clinton, “What does ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’ mean?”
Prior to attending the vigil, Clinton spoke out against the deadly attack.
In February, 37-year-old Omar — who is one of the first Muslim women to ever be elected to Congress —issued an apologyafter sharing tweets that suggested U.S. relations with Israel centered around money,NPRreported.
Clinton was one of many whospoke out against Omar, writing on Twitter at the time, “We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism.”
“I didn’t corner Chelsea Clinton, i didn’t approach her with anyone else, i didn’t ask people to record me. the confrontation wasn’t planned, though i was going to disrupt her if she spoke and say the same things that i said to her face,” shewrote.
“All of this stems from the anger and sadness i felt sitting in a space that was supposed to center me and my fellow muslims in mourning and instead became a space in which non-muslims preached abt love while turning around and supporting violent campaigns against muslims globally,” she continued.
“She was clearly emotional given that she (like so many other Muslims) is grieving. She merely pointed out how Chelsea Clinton has contributed to Islamophobia, something that is now so normal people don’t even see it,” the Twitter user wrote, adding that they hoped to see Clinton step up for the student and call for trolls to stop attacking her online.
After the exchange went viral on social media, numerous Twitter users and conservatives came to Clinton’s defense, including Donald Trump Jr. and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
“It’s sickening to see people blame @ChelseaClinton for the NZ attacks because she spoke out against anti-Semitism. We should all be condemning anti-Semitism & all forms of hate,”wrotePresident Donald Trump’s son. “Chelsea should be praised for speaking up. Anyone who doesn’t understand this is part of the problem.”
AddedHuckabee, “Blaming Chelsea Clinton for NZ massacre is as dumb as blaming @realDonaldTrump for it, or blaming Bernie Sanders for assassination attempt of @SteveScalise It’s the shooter’s fault. Period. No one ‘MADE’ him do it.”
ActressDebra Messingalso pointed out that supporting Clinton didn’t mean she couldn’t also staunchly condemn Islamophobia.
“I thought the vigil was to mourn the terrorists attack against the Muslim community in New Zealand which is an attack on all Muslims globally. As a Jew, I can support Chelsea Clinton’s asking the congresswoman to please not use anti Semitic tropes,” she wrote. “And also mourn the loss of the Muslim worshippers in New Zealand, reach out in love and support, and vehemently condemn the Islamaphobia [sic] that fueled the attack. They are not mutually exclusive.”
Numerous social media users also praised Clinton for remaining calm and not resorting to unkind or hearted words during the confrontation, including Philippe Reines, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton.
“11 years ago I crisscrossed the country with @ChelseaClinton campaigning for her mom. She never once lost her cool no matter how hard someone tried. She killed them with kindness. It was a sight to see,” he wrote. “What I’d give to have been there tonight.”
However, several social media users went on to accuseboth liberals and conservativesof making the New Zealand tragedy about Clinton instead of the Muslims who were killed.
“In an attempt to steer this conversation around @ChelseaClinton, in the wake of an attack that killed 49 Muslims, in a useful direction, let’s talk a bit about anti-muslim racism and liberal complicity in it,”wroteone user.
Another added, “Shout out the liberals and centrists who, joining right wingers, have helped make the story about the massacre in NZ about Chelsea Clinton here in the US and a college student who was mean to her. You guys are the real ones.”
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According to theNew York Times, shooting suspect Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged with one count of murder in connection with the massacre. Police said he would face additional charges.
TheTimesalso reported that another man, identified as Daniel John Burrough, 18, has been charged with “intent to excite hostility or ill-will,” although his exact role in the attack remains unclear.
According to theWashington Post, a third suspect has yet to be identified.
Tarrant — who is scheduled to appear in court on April 5 — and the two other suspects remain in custody, according to CNN.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern referred to the incident as “an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence” and considered it to be “New Zealand’s darkest day.”
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” Ardern said Friday. “From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned.”
Ardern said New Zealand was targeted because it was a nation that celebrates multiculturalism.
source: people.com
