Sydney held up by a self- styled terrorist on December 15
The siege of the Lindt Café in Sydney held up by a self- styled terrorist on December 15, and the shooting of two innocent civilians and the gunmen in the early hours of December 16, brought the incident to a tragic end. While most of the hostages escaped, Lindt Café manager Tori Johnson and lawyer Katrina Dawson were fatally shot. Sydneysiders in particular and Australians were enveloped in a fog of grief and loss, not just for the loss of innocent lives, but also because terrorism had made its presence felt in the city, shocking its denizens out of their sense of complacency. That it was an ordinary, everyday location – a café in the heart of the city’s CBD – makes the event even more chilling for Sydneysiders who enjoy their cups of morning coffee in an environment that is considered safe and unassailable.
Lindt Café: The outpourings of empathy have been overwhelming. The venue outside the Lindt Café has become an impromptu memorial shrine, strewn with flowers, visited by thousands since, singing, praying, paying their respects in silence or with tears, but all in accord when condemning this act of pointless violence by a self-styled terrorist.
Harrowing experience for Sydney: 2nd It has been a harrowing experience for Sydney. And a terrible end to a year that has seen an increase of global violence that hasn’t quite touched our shores. But now we are aware that the threat is real. And having understood that, we, can take the right kind of precautions against a repetition of this event.
But like many stories of loss and destruction, some positive aspects have emerged. Australians united in their support of the Muslim community here, accepting that they are not responsible for the misguided and violent actions of one person. They united to dispel the feelings of fear and distrust that were beginning to emerge, showing rare maturity and sensibility. They united in the belief that this incident would not break the fabric of the country; but would instead make us stronger in our resolve to fight terrorism and its principles. It was a heartening response, and we should feel proud of our positivity in this time of uncertainty.