By Ann-Marie AlcĚÁntara
France is a nation in mourning after an attack on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, left 12 dead and 11 injured. The terrorist gunmen are still on the loose as of this post, but as authorities work to find them, journalists, cartoonists, and others took to social media to show solidarity. There will also be a rally in San Francisco tonight to support the victims.
#JeSuisCharlie: Spontaneous rallies of defiance sweep France http://t.co/z1ZPVMfLlj (Pic: Heathcliff O’Malley) pic.twitter.com/u0necIXljp
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 7, 2015
Shortly after the attacks occurred, the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie, which means “I Am Charlie” in English, started trending, with users sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims, supporting the work that Charlie Hebdo created, from its usage of satire to its push for freedom of speech for journalists. Many of the tweets were touching and a few of them are rounded up below.
Can’t sleep tonight, thoughts with my French cartooning colleagues, their families and loved ones #CharlieHebdo pic.twitter.com/LqIMRCHPgK
— David Pope (@davpope) January 7, 2015
How Dutch cartoonist @RLOppenheimer sees @Charlie_Hebdo_ terrorist attack #JesuisCharlie #IamCharlie pic.twitter.com/R19p0M7GfN
— Victor d’Allant (@dallant) January 7, 2015
Still mortified about our fallen cartoonist colleagues, but free speech will always win. #CharlieHebdo #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/GHejOEXHwG
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) January 7, 2015
Because everyone is entitled to have its own opinion. It’s called freedom of speech. #Voltaire #JeSuisCharlie 🇫🇷👊 pic.twitter.com/mQbIDH1paH
— Margaux T (@parisgirl94) January 7, 2015
Outside of the internet, solidarity rallies are being planned worldwide, with one taking place in San Francisco tonight at 7 p.m. in front of the French Consulate on 88 Kearny Street. Organizer Stephane Rangaya coordinated the local effort, alerting the San Francisco Police Department and the French Consulate so that safety would be a key priority during the rally. A French national, Rangaya says he wants the gathering to solely focus on “a peaceful message of support to the Charlie Hebdo victims, as well as to show our love for freedom of speech and for freedom of the press.”
The event currently has 598 listed as attending the rally and the description reminds demonstrators to “bring a pen, so that the world can remember we’ll fight for freedom with ink, not blood, just as Charlie Hebdo did and will continue to do.” There is no march route planned but rather, supporters will remain in front of the French Consulate.
Numerous world leaders have released statements condemning the attacks, as various rallies came together in France. French President Francois Hollande declared that Thursday will be a National Day of Mourning, with a moment of silence to be observed during the morning, as well as flags being lowered for three days.
Top photo courtesy of Valentina Cala/Flickr.
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