"Not Afraid." Powerful image from Paris tonight. #JeSuisCharlie (Photo: Thibault Camus/AP) http://t.co/72ppgK49MG pic.twitter.com/6YgrXakVnc
— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) January 7, 2015
On January 7th, gunmen killed twelve people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine based out of Paris, France, reports NPR. Charlie Hebdo was renown for its satirical take on politics, religion, and current events. Witnesses claim that the gunmen shouted "Allahu akbar" ("God is great") during the siege, suggesting that the attack was motivated by Islamic extremism. One of the suspects, Hamyd Mourad, surrendered to police, while two other suspects, Cherif and Said Kouachi, remain at large. Cherif Kouachi reportedly had ties to radical Islamists, according to the Guardian.
Mourners hosted vigils at the Place de la République in Paris, as well as in cities worldwide, according to the Guardian. The hashtag #jesuischarlie trended on Twitter as observers showed solidarity with the slain. Muslim leaders around the world have loudly condemned the attacks, while others fear that the incident could inflame anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe.
Commentary abounds on the importance of free speech, free press, and the right to criticize religion in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo massacre. To read commentary on the attack, visit the following links.
Infidel753: Je suis Charlie
Good As You: Conservative Radio Host Erick Erickson Equates Gay Activists with Paris Terrorists
Juan Cole: Sharpening Contradictions: Why al-Qaeda attacked Satirists in Paris
Christian Science Monitor: Charlie Hebdo attack: Why Western satire especially riles some nations and groups
NPR: 'Charlie Hebdo,' A Magazine Of Satire, Mocks Politics, Religion
The Daily Beast: Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive
A pile of pens at vigil in Paris for #CharlieHebdo victims. #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/7hJYMe48AX
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 8, 2015
Looks like the manhunt just ended with the terrorists deaths. Very disturbing and unhappy chain of events in that beautiful city and country.
ReplyDeleteDonna -- The Kouachi brothers and one of their co-conspirators are dead, but a woman is still at large. I wonder if she'll be captured, and what information she can provide on their motives. This whole series of events has been heartbreaking.
DeleteSo sad.
ReplyDeleteHeather -- Very sad. My heart goes out to the loved ones of the Charlie Hebdo victims and hostage standoff victims.
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