John Sato told Radio New Zealand that he usually passes time doing chores around his house and listening to music.
But when he heard about the horrific attacks in Christchurch, he could not sit still and do nothing.
“I stayed awake quite a lot of the night and I didn’t sleep too well ever since, you know. I thought it was so sad. You can feel the suffering of other people,” he said.
Sato, whose mother was Scottish and father was Japanese, know how important it is to accept all people, regardless of ethnicity or cultural background.
“I think it is such a tragedy and, yet, it has the other side,” Sato said, referring to the terror attack.
“It has put people together.”
“It doesn’t matter what their race or anything. People have suddenly realized we are all one. We care for each other.”
John Sato told the local station that he visited a mosque near his house shortly after the terror attacks.
According to reports, he left his home in Hardwicke over the weekend and took the bus to a mosque in Pakuranga.
There he saw flowers and messages left in honor of the shooting victims. It was an overwhelming and emotional experience for John.
Soon afterwards he decided to take two transfers further into the city, where he arrived at a march against racism.
“Sitting on a bus is much more comfortable than walking,” Sato said, laughing
“You just sit back and you sit all comfortable.”
Kind people gave Sato a hand when they saw him at the march. Police officers made sure that John could complete the march and get a safe journey home.
“A policeman took me all the way home and waited down there until he saw me get up the stairs. He was very kind”, ” Sato said.
The terrible tragedy in Christchurch brought out the best in people and I think John Satos act shows the best of humanity.
I know many young and able bodied men who wouldn’t even catch one bus to attend. This should inspire us all to do better.
Cowardly terrorists are trying to divide us and create a terrified society – but the answer must always be the same: You can’t break us!
And remember: You are never too old to do the right thing – share if you agree!