Graduates’ street parade cancelled
This year’s University of Canterbury (UC) graduates will miss out on parading through the streets after police advised against it following the March 15 terror attack.
The parade is usually part of the students’ end-of-year celebrations, and caps off their graduation ceremonies.
A statement released on UC’s website said the university decided to cancel the city street processions for the upcoming April graduation following advice from police.
‘‘While there is no information to suggest a specific risk to our graduands and attendees, UC takes the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff seriously,’’ it said.
‘‘The events of 15 March have had a deep impact on our community and UC will continue to work with police as appropriate for future graduation ceremonies.’’
Fifty people were killed and another 50 injured in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15.
UC has three ceremonies planned in the city this week, two today and one on Thursday.
A UC spokeswoman would not comment further about the parade cancellations and directed queries to police. Police have been approached for comment.
The Christchurch street processions are the latest in a string of cancelled events, the majority of which are Anzac Day commemorations.
Waitakiri Primary School on Friday announced the cancellation of the Burwood Community Anzac Day Service. The withdrawal came two days after the Christchurch City Council announced the cancellation of an Anzac Day event scheduled for Sydenham.
Fifty-eight planned Anzac Day services were also cancelled in Auckland last week.
Christchurch’s Anzac Day dawn service will go ahead with extra security measures and a strong police presence in and around Cranmer Square. A citizens’ service will be held in the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square at 10am.