After at least 49 people were killed in a targeted attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday, a far-right Australian senator blamed the violent act on Muslim immigration. Sen. Fraser Anning from Queensland put out a statement ostensibly condemning the attacks — but then seized the opportunity to spew incendiary and Islamophobic remarks that echoed the rhetoric of the suspected gunman’s manifesto. “I am utterly opposed to any form of violence within our community, and I totally condemn the actions of the gunman,” Anning said. “However, whilst this kind of violent vigilantism can never be justified, what it highlights is the growing fear within our community, both in Australia and New Zealand of the increasing Muslim presence.” The senator claimed “left-wing politicians and media” would blame gun laws and nationalist views, but “the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.” Just incredible: As 49 Muslim worshippers lay dead in New Zealand, a sitting Australian senator blames “the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand”. pic.twitter.com/13w7aAK8IR — Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) March 15, 2019 Anning also posted an equally problematic statement on Twitter in which he tried to draw a link between Muslim immigration and violence. Anning has a history of making racist statements The story in New Zealand is still developing, but reports suggest that at least one gunman targeted two mosques during Friday prayers in what New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called a “terrorist attack.” Ardern said the shooter embraced extremist views, and a white nationalist manifesto linked to the suspect supports this thesis. Anning, the Queensland senator, appeared to reiterate his comments, even as more details of the attack emerged: I wonder if there will be as much outrage from the left wing when the next Muslim terrorist attack occurs? Most likely silence and talk about “lone wolf attacks, mental illness and no connection to Islam”. — Senator Fraser Anning (@fraser_anning) March 15, 2019 Anning took office in 2017 after the elected candidate was found ineligible, and has a history of making inflammatory and racist comments. He was kicked out of his political party in October 2018 after he made an immigration speech in August questioning Muslim and non-English-speaking immigration, and called for a “final solution” to the problem, an apparent reference to Hitler. According to the Guardian, the right-wing populist Australian party One Nation condemned Anning’s statements at the time. Anning also defended his attendance at a “fascist” really in Melbourne in 2019. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who himself has faced criticism for his immigration policies, denounced Anning’s remarks and called them “disgusting.” The remarks by Senator Fraser Anning blaming the murderous attacks by a violent, right-wing, extremist terrorist in New Zealand on immigration are disgusting. Those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian Parliament. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 15, 2019 Correction: Anning became senator in Queensland after another candidate was found ineligible because of his dual citizenship. This post originally said he was “elected in 2017.” The language has been changed to more accurately reflect how he gained his office.<doc-sep>Ms. Ardern said none of those detained had been on security watch lists. Mr. Bush had earlier urged people not to go to mosques anywhere in New Zealand on Friday. He also urged mosques nationally to “close your doors until you hear from us again.” Handcuffed suspect appears in court In a Christchurch courtroom hearing closed to the public for security reasons, police officers in bulletproof vests brought in the suspect, Brenton Harrison Tarrant. The police said he had been charged with one count of murder but would face additional charges. Mr. Tarrant, 28, short with thinning brown hair, handcuffed and wearing white prison clothing, looked around the courtroom but said nothing as District Court Judge Paul Kellar ordered him held for a further hearing on April 5. Regional officials have said Mr. Tarrant is an Australian citizen. Court papers listed his New Zealand address as Dunedin City, which is about 280 miles south of Christchurch. Richard Peters, his court-appointed lawyer, said Mr. Tarrant had indicated he might represent himself in the prosecution. Asked how Mr. Tarrant had reacted to what he is facing, Mr. Peters said, “He seemed to be quite aware of where he is and what he’s doing.” At the same time the charging document for Mr. Tarrant was handed out to reporters, a second court filing was distributed that said Daniel John Burrough, 18, of Christchurch, had been charged with “intent to excite hostility or ill-will.” Court officials would not elaborate on how the two cases were related. In addition to Mr. Tarrant, three other people were arrested in connection with the attacks, although one was apparently released. Few details have been offered about them. A range of nationalities among the dead and injured Families are mourning loved ones, and the city of Christchurch is preparing to bury its dead. As news trickles out about the victims of the massacre, their nationalities are beginning to emerge. Though officials have not released the names of those killed, a list of those missing has been published by the New Zealand Red Cross on its website. It includes people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. At least three people from Bangladesh were killed, and another two from Jordan, according to local news reports. Five people from Pakistan are missing, and several others were injured, officials in Pakistan confirmed. Other foreign ministries around the world said their citizens were caught up in the attack, including three people from Turkey. Video shows part of the shooting A 17-minute video posted to Facebook shows part of the attack. The clip, which appeared to have been taken from a helmet camera worn by the gunman, begins behind the wheel of a car. A man, whose face can occasionally be seen in the rearview mirror, drives through the streets of Christchurch before pulling up in front of Al Noor Mosque, beside the sprawling Hagley Park. [Read more here about the video, manifesto and social media posts.]<doc-sep>
New Zealand mom worries: Waiting to see if son is all right In the wake of the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand, police officers sit in their vehicle out side the Al Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in Philadelphia, ahead of prayers Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) A police officer secures the area in front of the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. - Attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead on March 15, with one gunman -- identified as an Australian extremist -- apparently livestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city. (Photo by Tessa BURROWS / AFP) (Photo credit should read TESSA BURROWS/AFP/Getty Images) Police stand outside a mosque in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 15, 2019. Multiple people were killed during shootings at two mosques full of people attending Friday prayers. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) (CNN) — When a gunman killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh last year, Muslim communities in the area raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the victims. Now the Jewish community in Pittsburgh is reciprocating the kindness after a massacre at two mosques in New Zealand. New Zealand is mourning after a gunman opened fire Friday at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing at least 50 people and injuring dozens. The nation’s authorities said the terrorist attack was carried out by a man who posted a racist manifesto online. After the mass shooting, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has set up a fund for the victims. “Unfortunately we are all too familiar with the devastating effect a mass shooting has on a faith community,” said Meryl Ainsman, chair of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “We are filled with grief over this senseless act of hate. May those who were injured heal quickly and fully, and may the memories of the victims forever be a blessing.” Just like after the October shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, different faiths and cultures have come together in grief and solidarity. Last year, the crowdfunding campaign “Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue” raised more than $200,000 to help the shooting victims. “We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Christchurch, in Pittsburgh, and around the world,” the Jewish Federation said.