In light of the recent events in New Zealand, President Tony Frank addressed the Colorado State University community in an email about the shootings that took place in New Zealand.

The attack occurred around noon March 15, local time, at two Mosques in the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. At least 49 people were murdered and 20 injured in the mass shootings that took place while people were worshiping, CNN reported.

In his email, Tony Frank wrote that “Colorado State University extends both our shared sorrow and our thoughts for healing to those affected by the tragic Mosque shootings.”

“Once again, hatred against an idea or belief has embodied itself as violence against individual human beings, likely unknown to those who wielded the weapons,” Frank wrote. “Once again, we ask ourselves what we have to offer against such blind and unreasoning hate and rage.  And once again, we have only one answer: We have our hearts, and we have each other.”

Frank said this act of violence has not only affected the friends and families of the victims but also “numerous members of our Colorado State community.”

“Once again, we ask ourselves what we have to offer against such blind and unreasoning hate and rage.  And once again, we have only one answer: We have our hearts, and we have each other.” Tony Frank, University President

Frank said that these attacks on those who practice their free right to worship should be seen as an attack against what we believe ourselves to be as humans.

Because of this act of violence, Frank called on the campus community to hold each other up and provide support, especially for those impacted directly by the shootings. 

“So, please, extend your hearts to those around you, offer support to those members of our community particularly impacted by this tragedy, and let them know that no one stands alone against such evil,” Frank wrote. “We stand together and our strength is in each other.”

Olivia Armagno can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @OArmagno.