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95-year-old New Zealand man takes 4 buses to join anti-racism rally

A 95-year-old New Zealand man who was deeply moved in the wake of the recent Christchurch mosque shootings went to great lengths to show support for his country.

John Sato, a World War II veteran from Auckland, told Radio New Zealand that he has struggled to sleep since learning of the March 15 attacks, which left 50 victims dead at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre.

"I stayed awake quite a lot at the night. I didn't sleep too well ever since," he told the station. "I thought it was so sad. You can feel the suffering of other people."

When Sato learned about various vigils and memorial events taking place over the weekend to honor the victims of the shootings, he decided to take a bus from his home in Howick into the nearby city of Pakuranga to visit a mosque on March 24. After seeing the many flowers and messages left behind at the religious building, Sato felt inspired to travel to Auckland's city center.

Finally, following a long trek which included multiple bus transfers, Sato arrived at his destination and joined in with thousands in a march up Wellesley Street to protest racism.

Photos from the march:

The veteran, who told Radio New Zealand that he was one of only two Kiwi-Japanese men recruited into the New Zealand army during WWII to fight against Japan, said he was overwhelmed by the kindness he was shown at the march.

He was especially touched by the actions of an attentive police officer, who helped him march, got him a water bottle and even brought him back to his home afterward.

"[The officer] took me all the way home, waited down there until he saw me getting up the stairs," Sato told the station. "The tragedy in Christchurch, look at what it brought out in people. It shows the best of humanity."