MELBOURNE, Australia – In the aftermath of a violent extremist attack in Sydney, a bishop who was stabbed multiple times has expressed support for X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s legal efforts to challenge an Australian ban on sharing graphic video footage of the incident on social media.
The attack, which took place on April 15 at the Assyrian Orthodox church, was livestreamed and quickly spread on social media, inciting a riot that resulted in injuries to 51 police officers and damage to 104 police vehicles. Despite the graphic nature of the videos, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel believes in the importance of freedom of speech and religion, arguing for the videos to remain accessible on social media.
Elon Musk has criticized Australia for what he perceives as censorship, while government officials have accused him of lacking social responsibility for allowing violent content on his platform. Police have taken action against five teenagers believed to be part of a violent extremist network, with charges ranging from conspiracy to commit a terrorist act to possessing extremist material accessed online.
The incident at Christ the Good Shepherd Church has spurred both criminal and civil legal proceedings, with concerns over the potential harm caused by the dissemination of the video on social media. Despite pressure from the Australian regulator to remove the video, X Corp. has pushed back, leading to a court order banning the video until May 10.
Bishop Emmanuel, who immigrated to Australia from Iraq, has called for calm and forgiveness in the wake of the attack. He sustained multiple stab wounds, including to his face, and has refrained from sharing images of his injuries. The boys allegedly linked to the attacker appeared in court, facing charges related to planning a terrorist act and possessing extremist material.
The incident has shaken the community, coming shortly after another stabbing incident in Sydney that left several people dead. As the city prepares to commemorate Anzac Day, authorities are on high alert for any potential threats, given past extremist plots during the annual event. Anzac Day holds significant historical importance for Australia and New Zealand, marking the soldiers’ first combat in World War I.