A slowly growing crowd sang as some of the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attacks prepared to return to the High Court, to hear a sentence that would never change what happened.
The victims sat in silence in the High Court and in nearby courtrooms as the judge imposed the strongest sentence he could. Some sobbed, many sat silent for moments afterwards.
There were soon tears and hugs in the corridors, words of encouragement and grief-tinged relief, as the victims re-emerged from a process that condemned a hate-filled murderer.
The terrorist murdered his victims because of their faith. He was led to a cell; inside the same building, his victims emerged from court and were united by the call to prayer.
It was hardly the defining moment of the four-day sentencing hearing, but it was enough to show just how far removed New Zealand is from the society of the terrorist’s twisted ideal.
The victims and their families were free, and able to express themselves and their religion in a building emblematic of the most obvious, coercive powers of the State.
They were free to be who they were, without persecution, in a country that emphatically rejected the hate-filled ‘‘ideology’’ of the terrorist and all who emboldened him.
Many of us watched as the victims read their statements in court, bravely confronting the murderer with stories of their loss.
More than 90 victims and their families fought their emotions to describe their life-altering injuries and the ever-present grief that came with losing the many people they loved.
Seventeen months after 51 people were murdered at two Christchurch mosques, we heard ordinary people describe extraordinary pain.
A daughter misses her father’s cologne, a wife misses her husband’s silly jokes and a son wishes he could still kick a ball with his dad, like his friends do with theirs.
Some called the murderer a coward, trash, inhuman. They called him a failure: their faith was stronger, and the wider community was wrapped around theirs like never before.
Others forgave him. Courage and compassion confronted a now impotent evil before it was sent to prison for life without parole.
When they emerged to the street after sentencing, they were greeted by a cheering crowd and handmade signs expressing love and support.
Between hugs, some of the victims told reporters such spontaneous expressions of love and support helped as they came to terms with the March 2019 attacks.
They were grateful to countless thousands of people — justice workers, healthcare workers, community groups, neighbours — for their continued support.
The challenge now is for that support to continue as the attacks’ impacts continue in the years to come. The sentencing was not the end; it is the last act before a new beginning.
The Government and our communities must maintain their commitment to support the victims as they rebuild their lives. We must also make New Zealand better, safer and more inclusive.
The next step in this process will come when the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch reports back to the Government.
That is due to happen in November, when we will need to confront some awful truths showing how wrong we were to think such an atrocity could not happen here.
They say a community is not defined by tragedy or terror, but by how it responds. The victims of the Christchurch terror attacks responded with strength and resilience, compassion and grace. Our collective response must not fall short.
