Je suis Charlie: vigil for terror attack victims at Vancouver Art Gallery tonight

Dec 19 2017, 9:28 pm

“Even far from France, we are united.” This is the message organizers of tonight’s Vancouver silent vigil are hoping to send for those killed in Wednesday’s terrorist attacks at the Paris offices of French magazine Charlie Hebdo.

“Our thoughts are going to the victims of this terrible attack,” Pierre Touzel, Elected Consular councillor towards the French General Consulate, told Vancity Buzz. “Even far from home, we French citizens living in Vancouver are deeply affected by this act of terror.”

Gunmen carrying automatic rifles stormed into the publication’s daily editorial meeting and killed eleven people including three renowned cartoonists, one editor and his police bodyguard.

Another police officer was killed outside the building while responding to the attack, with video footage on YouTube showing the injured officer lying on the sidewalk shot point-blank in the head. Eleven people were also severely injured in the shootings.

A nationwide manhunt is underway in France after the suspects fled the scene by vehicle. French president Francois Hollande and the leaders of other nations have condemned the attack as an assault on freedom of speech and democracy.

“Living here in Canada shows us a different way to live together beyond our diverse background,” Touzel added. “It shows us that dialogue and peace can bring communities together. We as citizen living abroad have also a message of peace and dialogue to share with our fellow citizen living in France.”

Tonight’s silent vigil will be held on the Robson Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to bring pens as a symbol of freedom of the press.

Vancouver Silent Vigil for Paris Terrorist Attack

Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Robson Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby Street, Vancouver)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/778889218858859/779041728843608

Photos of the silent vigil in Paris

Feature Image: Charlie Hebdo

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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