A Statement from Dean Onwuachi-Willig

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

I am profoundly saddened by last Friday’s senseless attack against the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Once again, we are confronted with violent extremism fueled by hateful, divisive rhetoric and a toxic subculture of fear. And today, we are just learning of another mass shooting in the Netherlands, which authorities are treating as an incident of terrorism.

Whether it occurs at mosques in New Zealand, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, on a tram in the Netherlands, or inside a church in South Carolina, terrorism is terrorism, plain and simple. I stand in solidarity with you against all forms of violent extremism, and I remain firmly committed to pursuing a future where those with open minds and open hearts can finally put an end to all violence of this kind.

As members of the legal community, we are uniquely positioned to use our skills and resources to advocate for the greater good. I encourage all of us to support and care for one another, and to take action as we each feel called to act.

Nelson Mandela, a trained lawyer, once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I believe in that, and I believe in the BU Law community.

With deep appreciation for our wonderful community,

Angela Onwuachi-Willig
Dean and Professor of Law