A 95-year-old Kiwi WWII veteran caught four buses to protest against racism

A 95-year-old Kiwi WWII veteran caught four buses to protest against racism

At Auckland's Aotea Square on Sunday, this 95-year-old veteran joined thousands of others to rally against racism.

Arm-in-arm with a police officer and a stranger, 95-year-old WWII veteran John Sato was determined to show his support for the Muslim community by protesting against racism at an Auckland rally. 

The New Zealand Army veteran told Radio New Zealand he couldn't sleep the night of the Christchurch terror attacks, when a sole gunman killed fifty Muslims during afternoon prays at two different mosques. 

Mr Sato admits he was living in a bubble; keeping to himself in the Auckland eastern suburb of Howick since losing his wife and daughter. 

But when the news broke out of Christchurch, he was plunged into reality. 

John Sato, a former Japaense serviceman, took two buses from Howick to join the march against racism in 

"I thought it was so sad. You can feel the suffering of other people," he told the broadcaster. 

"The Christchurch incident was more than just a tragedy for us."

Mr Sato said he was determined to show his support.

First he caught a bus to visit a mosque in Pakuranga, not too far from his house. After seeing so many flower and messages of support, he decided to press on - heading into the city centre to join a march against racism. 

People gather to march against racism at Aotea Square.

After three more bus trips, he arrived to join thousands of Aucklanders rallying against hate.

When strangers saw him, they were quick to offer him a hand. 

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