Neill’s ‘floods of tears’ for Christchurch
Sam Neill wants the Muslim community of New Zealand to know ‘‘you are welcome in this country, and you are valued’’.
Joining Seven Sharp from Christchurch, he said that while he couldn’t not speak for anyone else, he was ‘‘so so sorry’’.
The Hunt For The Wilderpeople actor described the attacks as ‘‘a crime against all of us as New Zealanders, and in particular, it was a crime against you and your families’’.
‘‘I want you to know that you are welcome in this country, and you are valued, and you are wanted, and I extend to you all the love that I possibly can.’’
Neill first heard the terror attacks unfold while he was in a taxi
‘‘I want you to know that you are welcome in this country, and you are valued, and you are wanted, and I extend to you all the love that I possibly can.’’
with a Muslim driver, his ‘‘friend’’.
By the time he reached his destination he told hosts Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells he was ‘‘in floods of tears.
‘‘My friend, the taxi driver, ironically was comforting me. That’s something I still haven’t quite recovered from. His generosity and his compassion at that time.’’
In addition to the Seven Sharp interview, Neill has shared several tweets on what he described as the ‘‘beyond grotesque’’ terror attacks.
‘‘This beyond grotesque horrific white supremacist terrorist crime in OUR, YOUR little country. With love and heartbreak to the Muslim community of Aotearoa, we are with you. You are us. We are all NewZealanders. #TheyAreUs Kia kaha. We weep together,’’ he posted on March 15.