Islamic State Attacks and Kills 17 People in France; France Not Afraid
Islamic State terror attacks raged upon the capital of France and its surrounding areas during a three day terrorist attack; the worst attack France has faced in decades. The first attack was made on Wednesday, January 7th, on the French satire magazine called Charlie Hebdo. Twelve people were attacked and killed by two masked gunmen caring riffles. According to BBC News,
"The men opened fire and killed the editor's police bodyguard, Franck Brinsolaro, before asking for editor Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb, and other four cartoonists by name and killing them, along with three other editorial staff and a guest attending the meeting.
Witnesses said they had heard the gunmen shouting "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" and "God is Great" in Arabic while calling out the names of the journalists."
Out of the twelve victims, eight were journalist for the Charlie Hebdo magazine. This attack was made as an act against France's freedom of press, freedom of expression and creativity. France did not take this sitting down. As the new broke out on the attacks, thousands of people in France and surrounding areas gathered together for a vigil after the gunmen left the Charlie Hebdo magazine. Many peplumed signs saying "I am Charlie" showing that it could have been anyone stating their freedom of speech, and uniting to show that France will not back down. USA Today captured the voice of France from Ilan Scialom,
"They wanted to put France down on its knees, but we will show them solidarity and unity," Ilan Scialom, 30, vice president of COEXISTER, an interfaith group in Paris that promotes tolerance, said at the Paris rally. Thousands turned out for similar vigils in Lyon and elsewhere across Europe. Some held signs saying, "Not afraid."
Following the magazine attack, the next two days weren't any easier. According to CNN,
"That picture looks much more complex one week later. Two more attacks -- against a police officer and another that included hostages at a kosher supermarket -- brought the final death toll to 17, plus three suspects killed."
France and it's surrounding areas, as well as all around the world, unite together in solidarity letting any terrorist group know that they will not be brought down by threats and barbaric acts. France will not give up their freedom of expression. They stand strong against their enemies with an over-welling outpour of support from around the world.
A post by The Guardian sheds light on France after the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, says the French security services have been able to prevent five other schemed terrorist attacks on France. Valls urges people to reach out to the call centre to alert the authority "in cases of radicalization". France is taking threats seriously, as they should.
