PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE
A light drizzle wasn’t enough to stop around 100 people from gathering in Masterton Town Square on Wednesday for a candlelight vigil to honour British backpacker, Grace Millane, 22, who was murdered in Auckland this month.
The people gathered to show her family their support and recognise the many New Zealand women who have died as a result of violence.
The event was organised by Masterton woman Rebecca Hooper, who said she was “deeply affected” by the news of Millane’s murder.
“She was just a young woman and it’s all been taken away,” she said.
She said the event was a chance for the community to come together in support of Millane’s family.
The gathering observed a minute’s silence, heard spoken poetry, recited a karakia and sang, including a song that Millane’s brother used to describe his sister, ‘You are my Sunshine’.
Several other vigils had been organised around the country, all with the message that New Zealand’s high rates of violence against women is unacceptable.
