Nelsonians will be joining thousands of other New Zealanders in a candlelit vigil on Thursday night to highlight the global refugee crisis and encourage the government to increase its refugee quota.
The vigil will be held at the Cathedral Steps from 6pm to 7pm. Organiser Adri van Lith posted on Facebook that people should come along to join a moment of silence for the innocent lives lost and light candles for the lives that can be saved if the government acts now.
Seven hundred and fifty candles will be lit for the lives that could be saved and there will be 60 seconds of silence for the 60 million people displaced right now due to war or persecution. The government announced on Monday that New Zealand will take in 750 Syrian refugees, 600 under an emergency intake.
Nelson Multicultural Society chairperson Marie Johnstone posted on Facebook that “I’m with you in supporting and welcoming new refugees. I’m for the increase yearly intake to 1000”.
