Sydney’s Lindt Chocolate Cafe that was the scene of a siege three months ago reopened on Friday with plaques honouring two victims killed during the standoff that lasted 16-hours.
The Cafe opened its doors again amid tributes for cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and 38-year-old lawyer Katrina Dawson prominently displayed. Both were killed in the final minutes of the Dec. 15-16 siege.
Man Monis, an Iranian-born, self-styled cleric was the man behind the siege. Monis had taken18 people hostage besides making a series of demands, including that he be delivered a flag of the Islamic State group. He was later gunned down by police after a day long siege.
Cafe worker Joel Herat, who was among the 17 hostages held by Monis, returned to work, drawing praise from New South Wales state premier Mike Baird.
There’s a strong sense of comradeship that says we can get through this together, we are stronger together, just as the city has marched forward today.
Mike Baird.
Dozens of Sydney residents gathered before the cafe opened, some clutching flowers in scenes reminiscent of the days after the siege when thousands of mourners left floral tributes in Martin Place in the centre of the city’s main business district.
“I really believe that bringing some flowers and having a look of the memorial and paying homage to the two people that died is a very worthwhile thing to do,” resident Alan Sexton told Reuters.
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