SYDNEY, JAN 22 /DNA/ : (Australians will fall quiet in candlelight Thursday on a national day of mourning for the 15 people killed by gunmen who opened fire at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.
As flags fly at half mast, millions are being asked to observe a minute’s silence at 7:01 pm east coast time (0801 GMT) for victims of the December 14 mass shooting, Australia’s deadliest in three decades.
Candles will be lit in windows and on doorsteps around the country.
Survivors, families and emergency responders are to join with political and community leaders in an evening of mourning at Sydney Opera House, with the theme “Light Will Win”.
Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly shot into crowds at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on the famous Sydney beach, inspired by Islamic State ideology.
“When we look to Bondi, we don’t just see a beach,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“We see it as part of our promise to the world. It’s a welcoming embrace, a famous crescent of sand and water where there’s room for everyone,” he told reporters.
“This is a place where nothing should break except for the waves. But a lot broke that night.”
