Wellington, New Zealand: Nine consecutive shots did not stop the injuries Basic Attached Tuesday marks the third anniversary of the killing of 51 Muslim worshipers by a gunman, completing a two-week walk and bike ride for peace.
Atakogu prepared to withdraw the gunman’s 360-kilometre (224 mi) drive from Dunedin to the two Christchurch mosques where he launched his attack.
“I wanted to fix this damage,” Atakogu said. “Because three years ago they started that journey with hatred.”
Atakogu, 47, said he wanted to bless the route, and raise money for charities along the way.
He intended to walk the full distance, but after the weather changed from hot one day to rain the next, he developed bad blisters about halfway through. He also received a mysterious case of blood poisoning, and ended up spending a few days at a local hospital.
“The best point was meeting so many beautiful people and getting a lot of support from them,” he said. “The low point was in the emergency room. But I wasn’t going to give up. I got on my bike straight after I was discharged.”
This helped them to make up for the time lost. When he reached the last route on Tuesday, about 50 supporters also joined him. Al Noor MosqueEntering at 1:40 p.m. – the exact same time he was shot during Friday prayers in 2019.
“I gave a speech, it was very emotional,” Atakogu said. “I was overjoyed. It was a great relief to have completed my mission.”
During the attack, Atakogu was shot in the mouth, his left arm, and both legs, and he said he often felt pain from injuries during walking and riding. He said he planned to get well with a big sleepover, and perhaps a sauna and spa.
Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern Told the MPs that the Muslim community had shown courage, unity and determination after the attack.
“March 15 is a date in our collective national history where we learned about the worst and best of humanity,” Ardern said.
In 2020 Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism after carrying out the attacks. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
An online donation page showed that as of Tuesday afternoon, Atakogu had raised about 64,000 New Zealand dollars ($43,000) for three charities benefiting children.
“All New Zealand is one,” Atakogu said. “Terrorist is zero.”
Atakogu prepared to withdraw the gunman’s 360-kilometre (224 mi) drive from Dunedin to the two Christchurch mosques where he launched his attack.
“I wanted to fix this damage,” Atakogu said. “Because three years ago they started that journey with hatred.”
Atakogu, 47, said he wanted to bless the route, and raise money for charities along the way.
He intended to walk the full distance, but after the weather changed from hot one day to rain the next, he developed bad blisters about halfway through. He also received a mysterious case of blood poisoning, and ended up spending a few days at a local hospital.
“The best point was meeting so many beautiful people and getting a lot of support from them,” he said. “The low point was in the emergency room. But I wasn’t going to give up. I got on my bike straight after I was discharged.”
This helped them to make up for the time lost. When he reached the last route on Tuesday, about 50 supporters also joined him. Al Noor MosqueEntering at 1:40 p.m. – the exact same time he was shot during Friday prayers in 2019.
“I gave a speech, it was very emotional,” Atakogu said. “I was overjoyed. It was a great relief to have completed my mission.”
During the attack, Atakogu was shot in the mouth, his left arm, and both legs, and he said he often felt pain from injuries during walking and riding. He said he planned to get well with a big sleepover, and perhaps a sauna and spa.
Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern Told the MPs that the Muslim community had shown courage, unity and determination after the attack.
“March 15 is a date in our collective national history where we learned about the worst and best of humanity,” Ardern said.
In 2020 Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism after carrying out the attacks. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
An online donation page showed that as of Tuesday afternoon, Atakogu had raised about 64,000 New Zealand dollars ($43,000) for three charities benefiting children.
“All New Zealand is one,” Atakogu said. “Terrorist is zero.”