Bill Text: NY J00822 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Condemning the ruthless acts of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, and mourning the tragic loss of life and injury to its Muslim community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-2)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-26 - ADOPTED [J00822 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00822-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 822

BY: Senator THOMAS

        CONDEMNING  the  ruthless  acts  of  terrorism  in
        Christchurch, New Zealand, and mourning  the  tragic
        loss of life and injury to its Muslim community

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to condemn the ruthless acts
of  terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, and to mourn the tragic loss
of life and injury to its Muslim community; and

  WHEREAS, On Friday, March 15, 2019, a 28 year-old white  supremacist
opened  fire  on  two  mosques,  the  Linwood Mosque and Al Noor Mosque,
located in Christchurch, New Zealand, where  many  people  gathered  for
Friday prayer; and

  WHEREAS,  During 36 minutes of terror, the gunman killed 50 innocent
worshippers; in addition, 34 more victims are  currently  being  treated
for injuries sustained during the horrific attack; and

  WHEREAS, Two police officers, one of them armed with only a handgun,
chased  and  arrested  the  gunman who had explosives in his car and was
planning a third attack on that day; and

  WHEREAS, Many of the victims had moved to New Zealand to seek better
lives in a country known for its beauty, friendliness and safety;  among
the  victims  were  engineers,  business owners, students, a child and a
goalkeeper for the national futsal (soccer) team; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New  York,  will  never  condone  Islamophobia  and/or  any  form  of
religious persecution or bigotry; and

  WHEREAS, This great Empire State is made up of thousands of citizens
who  identify  themselves as Muslim, a community made up of many diverse
beliefs and cultures, and both immigrants and native-born  New  Yorkers;
and

  WHEREAS,  New  York  has  always  provided  a safe harbor for people
fleeing persecution and threat;  hateful  and  intolerant  acts  against
Muslims,  or  those  perceived  to  be  Muslim, are contrary to New York
State's values of acceptance, welcoming, and fellowship  with  those  of
all faiths, beliefs, and cultures; and

  WHEREAS,  The  people  of  the  State of New York stand steadfast in
their solidarity with the Christchurch Muslim community, the  people  of
New  Zealand,  and  resolute  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, all of whom
mourn this senseless act of  terrorism,  and  vow  to  always  keep  the
memories of their loved ones in their hearts; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
condemn the ruthless acts of terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand, and
to mourn the tragic loss of life and injury to its Muslim community; and
be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Muslim community of
Christchurch, New Zealand.