Our Darkest Day

The cold blooded murder of 51 innocent people and the attempted murder of many others at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15 2019 sent shivers of horror down the collective spine of the nation. An act of terror such as this was totally unexpected from a white wing supremacist. How could we be so naive?

Published 2021.  ISBN: 978-0-473-58929-5  Kirsten Wilson Publishing.
Trade Paperback. 225 x 150mm. 202 pages. 13mm spine. Non-Fiction.

How could we be so naive? This unprecedented atrocity brought the ugly reality of racism, bigotry and religious intolerance in New Zealand into the glare of international scrutiny.

Although 51 people were tragically murdered, so many lives were saved by a combination of incredible luck and the outstanding work of the police, St John ambulance staff, medical professionals of Christchurch hospital, members of the public and the heroic acts of those under fire at both mosques.

Veteran author, Tom O’Connor, takes a deeper look into the history of religion and conflict as well as measures the nation has taken since the attack. Gun laws were tightened, the ‘Christchurch Call’ was initiated, the Royal Commission made recommendations for further changes to our laws and policies. Will it make a difference?

With contributing chapters by:
Jon Bird – Former British military computer technology expert examines the role of social media in the cause of spreading the impact of terrorism.
Jennifer Khan-Janif and Mohamud Mohamed – Explain the history of Islam, the contribution Muslims have made to New Zealand, and their concerns and aspirations for the future.
Dr Paul Spoonley – from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University is an expert in Far Right political groups. He provides an insight into their twisted mindset.
Dr John Battersby – Teaching Fellow in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University. He is a specialist on terrorism and a leading academic on ‘radicalisation’ of individuals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE
1 THE DAY OF DARKNESS
2 THE POLICE RESPONSE
3 RESCUE OPERATIONS
4 AFTER THE DARKEST DAY
5 THEY ARE US
6 THE CHRISTCHURCH CALL
7 WHY NOT ME?
8 INFLUENCESPART TWO
9 SOCIAL MEDIA  By Jon Bird
10 ISLAM IN NEW ZEALAND  By Jennifer Khan-Janif and Mohamud Mohamed
11 THE FAR RIGHT  By Dr Paul Spoonley
12 RADICALISATION  By Dr John Battersby
13 FIREARMS IN NEW ZEALAND
14 THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY
15 MULTIPLE MURDERS
16 CONFLICTING PHILOSOPHIES AND VIOLENCE
EPILOGUE

Excerpts from the terrorist’s manifesto included with permission from the NZ Chief Censor.