WINNIPEG — Standing together holding candles and signs, about a dozen Winnipeggers gathered to reflect on the tragedies that unfolded in Paris on Wednesday.
“People are just in shock. They don’t know what to think. We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Nathalie Roch, one of the organizers. “We witness it from far away. You want to be there, and do things.”
An attack by heavily armed gunmen killed 12 people at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris. The attackers have been linked to extremist Islamic organizations.
READ MORE: Manhunt ongoing for 2 suspects in Paris magazine attack
For Annie Henry, the feeling of being far away also came with the panic of worrying about the safety of loved ones.
“My reaction was to first call my family, and see if everyone was okay,” said Henry.
Henry relocated to Winnipeg from France for a job about a year ago. Her entire family and her friends live in Paris. Once she confirmed her loved ones were safe, she went online to find other people in the city who wanted to honour the victims.
“We feel the pain that people must feel right now in France, but also we are trying to defend the freedom of speech,” said Henry.
The tragedy also struck the local art community, where freedom of expression plays a huge role in what they do.
“When you put something out there that is contentious and critical, you expect a response,” said Jenifer Papararo, director of artistic programs at Plug In Contemporary Gallery. “But one that you can hopefully respond back to and create a conversation.”
Papararo also hopes that by coming together as artists and as a community, they send a strong message.
“I’m hoping as a society we rally behind it and continue to create a stronger voice and a stronger outpouring and be overtly critical instead of hide away from that,” said Papararo.
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