CALGARY – Vigils were held across the country on Wednesday as Canadians reacted to the deadly massacre on the Paris office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
In Calgary, dozens of people gathered outside City Hall in support of France, singing the national anthem as a show of solidarity.
Both French Nationals and Calgarians stood together to denounce the attacks and support freedom of expression.
“Even if we are far away from our country, we want them to know we are thinking of them,” said Fanny Ratisseau.
“They’re courageous people who set aside their own comfort and safety to express their ideas in what they thought was a safe place to do so, and put down their lives for freedom of press,” added France’s honorary consul in Calgary Roy Klassen.
In Montreal, as many as 2,000 people braved freezing temperatures outside the French consulate for a similar rally.
While in Vancouver, more than 500 people rallied in support of France, standing or sitting in silence while the names of the victims were read aloud.
In Toronto, hundreds gathered outside the French consulate on Bloor Street to denounce the violent attacks.
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