Editor,

I am currently living in California of the United States, and I am just devastated of the recent attacks on our city. I just left Tonga two weeks ago from my uncle's funeral, and the last memory I had with Nuku'alofa was having breakfast with my cousin at Cafe Escape. I have gone back to Tonga every school holiday for the last 8 years, and as an American born I have witnessed some great developments in Tonga's capital. I am just shocked and sadden of the destruction of the beloved city, and hope that those who were involved and those whom lead the riot face punishment for their actions. I do understand that every society fears dissent, and dissent is inevitable when a faction of individuals feel "oppressed" by higher authority, but I do not believe violence is a solution.