Hundreds of Vancouverites came out last night to show their solidarity with the people of France in mourning for the 12 people killed in Wednesday’s shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.
Organizers read the names of the victims out loud as more than 500 sat in solidarity while standing for a cause, some holding pens and pencils in defiance.
“What happened in Paris today is despicable. I am so happy to see so many people here. It is overwhelming,” one woman told Global News.
“We should be able to talk about everything without violence, without being attacked for what we say,” says Camille Mateos, a French citizen in Vancouver. “In my country, we think liberty comes first.”
IN PICTURES: Political cartoonists respond to Charlie Hebdo attack
Cartoonist Colin Upton, who attended the rally, says they won’t be silenced because it’s their job to offend the powerful and comfort the weak.
It is the sentiment echoed across the country from Montreal to Toronto to Ottawa, where flags fly at half staff at the French embassy.
With files from Jeremy Hunka
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