The site of December’s horrific siege in Sydney—claiming the lives of two hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson—the Lindt Café in Martin Place, is set to reopen in March – according to ABC news.
The café has been boarded up since the siege came to a tragic end in the early hours of December 16, but will reopen next month, along with a permanent memorial to the victims of the attack. A separate memorial will also be constructed in Martin Place later this year to pay tribute to one of Sydney’s darkest days in recent history. Renovations to the site are currently underway.
Katrina Dawson’s husband Paul Smith told the ABC that he and his family hope to return to the café and site of Dawson’s death: “Although it will be difficult at first, we hope to be able in time to return to the Lindt cafe so that [Katrina’s] children can continue to experience one of [her] great joys.”
Tori Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn also supported the reopening of the café, saying, “We would like for people to return to Martin Place and smile again.”
Last Sunday, Channel 7 and Channel 9 received some criticism for inspiring a “ratings war” while both networks simultaneously aired Sydney Siege specials, featuring extended interviews with the café staff and customers who were held hostage from December 15-16.
Via ABC.
Lead image by Joosep Martinson via Getty.
