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Thousands Sign Petition To Stop Mural Of New Zealand PM On Melbourne Silo

Thousands Sign Petition To Stop Mural Of New Zealand PM On Melbourne Silo

Opinion was divided on the project when it was announced.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

When news broke that a Melbourne silo would be painted with an iconic image of New Zealand's Prime Minister hugging a mourner after the Christchurch terror attack, opinion was divided.

Some people were thrilled with the moment being immortalised on a structure however others questioned why it was being done in Australia and not in our neighbouring country.

But the criticism has reached such a pitch that a petition has been started to stop the project from going ahead.

GoFundMe

Nearly seven thousand people have signed the petition with many saying it doesn't belong in Melbourne.

The project was announced after a GoFundMe was looking for $11,000 to fund it. When it reached it's target, Breathe Architecture said it had invited street artist Loretta Lizzio to paint Jacinda Ardern on the Brunswick silo.

The architecture firm wrote on the fundraising site: "Our community is a place made up of many cultures and many faiths. It is rich because of it's diverse history and community. It is a place that had its heart broken on the day of the Christchurch shootings.

"Jacinda Ardern led the world after the shootings. Her complete embrace of the Islamic community, and in fact of all New Zealanders as part of a whole that can never be divided by hate, has been both beautiful and powerful to witness.

PA

"The image of Jacinda hugging a Muslim woman has become a beacon of tolerance, love and peace in these divisive times.

"We want this message, this moment in time, remembered. We want to learn from it, we want it to hold us up, to strengthen us. We want everyone to know we are them, that they are us and, that we are, and always will be, stronger together."

The project has been approved by The City of Moreland, The Coburg Islamic Centre and the silo owner.

The image of Ardern hugging the mourner went viral after it was taken, with people saying it showed the leader's compassion. It was even projected on the world's tallest building.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, hosted a projection of the image shortly after the terror attack.

The word 'peace' was marked above the picture in both English and Arabic to honour the 50 people that lost their lives in the attack earlier this month.

According to the MailOnline, it was projected on the same day New Zealand had broadcast the Muslim call to prayer on national television and radio.

The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive terrorist attacks which happened during Friday Prayer on 15 March.

The terrorists live-streamed the sickening attack, with the first happening at Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the second at the Linwood Islamic Centre.

Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe

Topics: New Zealand, Australia News, Australia