Regina’s francophone community gathers to discuss France attacks

REGINA – A couple of dozen members of the francophone community gathered at the University of Regina Saturday afternoon to discuss the recent terror attacks in France.

“We felt like we need to establish dialogue with, maybe, Muslims, our neighbours, people from our province to kind of try to make sense of something that doesn’t make any sense,” said Françoise Sigur-Cloutier, who organized the event at Institut français.

More than 20 people, including those alleged to be responsible for the attacks, have been killed in France in less than a week.

“A lot of people were distraught, and a lot of people felt like they need to talk, and they need to do something,” said Sigur-Cloutier.

Exchange students Idalie Pernuit and Karine Meur, both 21 and from Brittany, France, attended the gathering.

“I feel very sad, and I don’t understand why such acts can exist in our world,” said Pernuit, who is studying justice and international studies at the university.

She said her family is shocked, and that a drawing cannot be considered a weapon.

“There is a strange atmosphere because everybody is scared and we don’t know what will happen now,” said Pernuit.

Meur, who is studying English at the university, said it was particularly difficult dealing with the attacks while living in a foreign country.

“We’re not use to that, such aggressions,” she said.