Today, the whole of France staged defiant marches in a moving tribute to the 17 people killed in terror attacks across the country last week, more than 3 million people gathered. Majority of these people gathered in one accord as they marched to the country’s capital where cartoonists and passers-by were murdered by Islamic fanatics last week, British Prime Minister David Cameron joined crowds marching in their memory.
French President Francois Hollande and a host of other world leaders, joined arm in arm to show utmost disapproval to the terrorism that ravaged Paris few days ago. He and other world leaders were part of the estimated 3.7 million people that marched through the city.
Elsewhere, US Attorney General Eric Holder joined officials, including Home Secretary Theresa Mary, at the Interior Ministry where talks were held about threats posed by Islamist extremism.
Standing in a front-row of world leaders near Place de la Republique shortly before 3pm, President Holland told crowds: ‘Today, Paris is the capital of the world.’ Local media reports suggested as many as three million people had turned out to march in defiance of the threats issued by Muslim fanatics responsible for the attacks at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine, and in a kosher supermarket last week.
After taking part in the Paris rally, Mr Cameron told Sky News: ‘It was very moving – extraordinary circumstances to be doing it, and an extraordinary set of people to be doing it with.
‘The memory I will have is people leaning out of their windows of all ages with tricolours – the French flag – incredibly proud of their country, proud of their democracy, proud of freedom of speech, and these great signs saying `I am Charlie. I am a police officer. I am a Jew’.
‘People of all ages wanting to show real solidarity. I think we should recognise the values that we have in European countries of believing in democracy and free speech, freedom of expression, the right to offend people and be offended.
‘These are not sources of weakness against this terrorist threat, they are sources of strength.
‘They are what make us great economies, great countries, great societies and it was great to see that in action today.’
See more pictures below.
We here in Nigeria also lend our voice to the French country, WE ARE CHARLIE.
Credit: Daily Mail UK
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