If you’re looking for detail on the Sydney siege and related tributes, see this post.
For details on the hostages of the Sydney siege, see this post.
Survivor of the London bombings, Gill Hicks is urging Australians to remain united in the wake of the Martin Place siege in Sydney.
The South Australian of the Year lost both her legs in the 2005 London bombings and has since become an advocate for peace. Speaking on 891 ABC Adelaide this morning, Dr Hicks said she was “incredibly proud” of the#illridewithyou campaign which began on Twitter yesterday to show support for Muslims in Australia.
“When society says ‘no, terrorism isn’t going to win here’, then that is an incredible message that we’ve told the world last night, we’ve told each other as a nation and indeed I hope that those who have an extremist persuasion and belief have also heard it very loudly,” Dr Hicks said.
“When society says ‘no, terrorism isn’t going to win here’, then that is an incredible message that we’ve told the world last night, we’ve told each other as a nation and indeed I hope that those who have an extremist persuasion and belief have also heard it very loudly,” Dr Hicks said.
She said while Australians cannot control random acts of violence, they should focus on what they can control and how it reacts to these events.
“It’s nine years since my event where I’ve lost both my legs so I could never escape the permanent injuries and the life-changing effect that has had on me, and absolutely I’m angry,” she said.
“I’m angry every day of all the things that have been lost in my life that I can do”.
“However, it is using that anger as a positive fuel to make a difference. I was very clear from the beginning that this cycle of violence has to end with me. I will not be looking for retribution, I will not continue the hatred that’s been shown to me, this ends here.”