For a few moments on Saturday evening, the thousands of people who gathered in Trafalgar Square stood and listened to a lone violinist play for the victims of the Paris attacks.
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The crowd sang the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” and shouted “Vive Le France” in the shadow of the arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in the City of Light.
Catriona Robertson, the Director of the Christian-Muslim Forum, said: “Terrorism has no religion – and today’s event will show solidarity and how we are all united in our prayers for those killed and injured”.
Just like a similar show of support in NY, many who turned out said they indirectly knew one or more of the victims from Friday’s bloodshed in Paris, which has been claimed by the Islamic State extremist group.
He also said that the clock tower at City Hall would be illuminated in the French colors of blue, white and red Saturday night.
“It just happens over and over and over”, said Jonathan, 24, who cycles past the embassy on his commute to work.
“We were pretty shocked and terrified”, Ms. Walckenaer said “It’s our neighborhood”.
People carried French flags and wore the blue, white and red of France.
Gerargi’s friend, Steven Basbecq, 23, said while immigration was an important question to consider, “We can not say [the attack] is because of immigration”. Our thoughts are with you all…
Speaking to the media later, Tory said he was delighted to see hundreds of people expressing their solidarity with the people of Paris and with others around the world who “absolutely reject this kind of barbaric behavior”.
“I want to show we’re unified”, he continued.
For Laura Ricaud, 23, a French national living in London, although the year 2015 had seen France being constantly under threats and attack by terrorists, the French nationals were still standing together and trying to face these issues calmly.
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At other locations in the US and around the world, from Miami to Moscow, people lit candles and left bouquets of roses and wine outside French consulates and embassies. “Terrorism will never be able to win because we have moral values so we are so strong”, also added in his statement. The event’s slogan says: “Don’t touch our Paris, don’t touch our France, don’t touch our freedom”.
