Tens of thousands of people gathered in cities across the world on Wednesday evening to express solidarity with the 12 people killed in the attack on the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The vigils, held in France, London, and other international locations, saw crowds holding placards bearing the slogan #JeSuisCharlie, meaning 'I am Charlie' in French.
In London, hundreds filled Trafalgar Square for a silent vigil, many holding pens, pencils, and notebooks in the air to show support for the journalists, cartoonists, and police officers who lost their lives. The mood was sombre as people of various nationalities gathered to express their horror at the attack.
In Paris, protesters stood shoulder to shoulder at the Place de la Republique, less than half a mile from the Charlie Hebdo offices, proudly holding 'Je Suis Charlie' signs. Similar gatherings took place in Marseille, Nice, Rennes, Toulouse, and Lyon, with more than 10,000 people congregating in the latter two cities.
Further afield, vigils were reported in Dublin, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Moscow, Tunis, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and Madagascar. In Berlin and Madrid, Germans gathered outside French embassies, their signs illuminated by candlelight.
The attack occurred when masked gunmen stormed the Charlie Hebdo headquarters, opening fire with Kalashnikovs and seeking out journalists by name. Witnesses reported hearing shouts of 'the Prophet has been avenged' and 'Allahu akbar'. The victims included editor and cartoonist Stephane Charbonnier, who had previously dismissed threats against his life, saying: 'I would rather die standing than live kneeling.'
French President Francois Hollande declared Thursday a day of national mourning in respect for the victims.
