Commemoration for Hostage Crisis Victims Held in Sydney

A memorial and burial ceremony for the victims of the hostage crisis in Sydney, which resulted in the deaths of Tori Johnson, Katrina Dawson, and the attacker 'Haroon Monis', was held on December 23. Tori Johnson, 34, was the manager of the Lindt Café in Martin Place, where the Iranian refugee hostage-taker held a group of people. Katrina Dawson, 38, was also a lawyer. The hostage situation at the Lindt Café ended after 16 hours with a police raid on December 15. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing in Australia. According to reports and witness statements from the Lindt Café, Tori Johnson was attempting to wrestle the weapon from the hostage-taker, while Katrina Dawson was protecting her pregnant friend, both of whom were killed. The public opinion in Australia sees both as heroes. Tori Johnson's partner, his father, the Premier of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, and the police commissioner were among the attendees at the ceremony on Tuesday. According to a Reuters report, beneath a photo of Tori Johnson, with Buddhist monks praying behind his coffin, a verse from Rumi was written in English. A ceremony for Ms. Dawson will also be held at the University of Sydney. A thousand people dressed in black with navy blue splashes, Ms. Dawson's favorite color, attended the ceremony. Her children, aged 4, 6, and 8, each chose a song for the ceremony. Mr. Johnson's burial ceremony will also take place at St. Stephen's Uniting Church, near Martin Place, where the hostage situation occurred. A large number of floral tributes have accumulated in Martin Place in recent days, which will be removed following the ceremony.