Hundreds of Thousands Gather in France to Protest Charlie Hebdo Terror Attack
Hundreds of thousands of French citizens joined together in the streets of French cities for a remarkable show of national solidarity and support for liberal values after a devastating terrorist attack on on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
A group of three radical Islamist terrorists stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo, killing twelve people, including a police officer who responded to the scene. The attackers are said to have spoken fluent French without an accent. When they finished their massacre they claimed they had avenged the Prophet Muhammed because the newspaper often printed off color cartoons that insulted Islam. The magazine also drew less than respectful cartoons of Christianity and Judaism.
In response to the attacks, French citizens gathered in the streets in support for the victims and freedom of speech.
Some of the protesters held pens aloft in the air, referencing the fact that freedom of expression and the press itself was under attack.
@mkmks Hey follow me here now!!!
— Richard (@RichardF1232) January 7, 2015
Holding a pen in protest in London. Photo via @reuterspictures pic.twitter.com/qwTcy80udy — Cassandra Garrison (@CassLGarrison) January 7, 2015
People silently hold up pens in protest #Paris pic.twitter.com/1odGoG3wF7 — Sruthi Gottipati (@GoSruthi) January 7, 2015
Large crowds of thousands could be seen through out the entire country.
France is in streets to protest after #CharlieHebdo attack this afternoon pic.twitter.com/0yTBBpD3cX
— EuropeanProspects (@ChristopheEPcom) January 7, 2015
Wonderful show of solidarity with large spontaneous protest #Paris #France #CharlieHebdo #ParisShooting pic.twitter.com/2ciUDAO3SA — Patricia Tsouros (@PTsouros) January 7, 2015
