‘Je Suis Charlie’ – Thousands Gather In Defiant Vigil After Attack On Charlie Hebdo

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PEDESTRIAN.TV

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Thousands of people have gathered across public spaces in France as the nation – and the world – comes to grips with the magnitude of the heinous act perpetrated against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Three armed gunman stormed the magazine’s Paris headquarters and open fired, killing at least 12 people: 10 staff of the magazine (including four cartoonists) and 2 police officers.

The gunman, armed with assault rifles and dressed in combat gear, forced their way into the building and began shooting on an editorial meeting, which reportedly was in the process of discussing a special Islam-themed edition of the magazine to be entitled “Sharia Hebdo.”
Graphic video captured from a balcony above the scene shows the gunman exiting the building and engaging with first-responding police. One gunman is seen calmly approaching a fallen wounded police officer and executing him at point blank range. The gunman then enters a – reportedly hijacked – car with another of the assailants and drives off. According to French Police, the gunman drove towards the eastern suburbs of Paris before abandoning the car, hijacking another one, and subsequently disappearing. A massive manhunt is currently underway, with France’s terrorist threat alert raised to its highest level.
This is not the first time the magazine has been subject to attack. It has previously suffered a firebomb attack, following the publication of cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammed.
At the nearby Place de la Republique, thousands of people gathered in vigil for the victims, with many carrying signs baring the slogan “Je Suis Charlie” or “I am Charlie.” A mocked up cover of the magazine featuring the banner and a blacked out box also featured prominently amongst those in attendance.
Across the world, fellow journalistic and satirical cartoonists penned their own tributes and protestations for their colleagues and contemporaries who lost their lives for the “sin” of freedom of expression and press.

The hunt for those responsible continues.

Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez via Getty Images.

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