Families of Sydney siege victims visit memorial

Source: Xinhua | December 18, 2014, Thursday |

Online Edition

The families of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, the two Sydney siege victims killed in the tragedy, visited a makeshift memorial in Martin Place on Thursday, joining thousands of Australians continuing to grieve.

Relatives of Dawson looked visibly shaken as they hugged one another and read cards left by thousands of well-wishers.

Dawson, 38, a barrister and mother-of-three, along with Lindt cafe manager Johnson, 34, were pronounced dead after the 16-hour siege which ended early Tuesday.

The families of both victims slowly made their way around the memorial site and the enormous floral tribute, which has grown rapidly since Tuesday morning.

"This love comes for free," said Ken Johnson, Tori's father, looking at the sea of flowers. "We want to thank everybody for supporting us through this terrible time."

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird says a permanent memorial will be erected in Martin Place.

"This is something that will be with us forever. We need to recognize that and pay tribute to the inspiring Australians that we have lost, and what they have given us," he told local Macquarie Radio.

Baird said the city and state was coming together like never before.

On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot continued to question why gunman Man Haron Monis was not on a watch list considering his long criminal history and links to Islamic extremism.

Abbott said a wide-ranging review would also examine how Monis was granted asylum, citizenship and welfare benefits.

World

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Families of Sydney siege victims visit memorial

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