Acting to protect life

Out of the grief and shock that followed Monday’s barbaric attack on a Manchester concert came acts of humanity that penetrated the darkness that is terrorism.

The attack took the lives of 22 people, including an eight-year-old girl. Fifty-nine people were injured in the suicide bombing that shook Manchester Arena as people were leaving a concert by U.S. pop star Ariana Grande.

As the head teacher at the school of one of the victims said: “The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.”

As frantic families searched for their loved ones, Manchester residents reached out on social media to open their homes, offer a place to charge phones, provide tea, biscuits, hot soup or a place to sleep.

One local councillor tweeted: “Mancunians opening their homes to those stranded, and businesses offering free rides. This is the Manchester I love.”

Taxi drivers turned off their meters to help people escape the area. The morning after, lines formed outside blood donor centres, answering a plea from local officials.

Nations and leaders can learn from Mancunians. They should stand together, and act together, as citizens try to help those struggling to deal with these murders. Humanity should define us in a resolve to protect innocent life.

We cannot cede to inhumanity. Terrorism aims to spread hatred and breed division. Solidarity, of neighbours and of nations, defeats at least some of its aims. But from leaders, effective solidarity must go beyond words of condolence.