Watch above: Thousands of Montrealers gathered to commemorate victims of the Paris shooting and present a united front against terrorism. Global’s Billy Shields has more.
MONTREAL – More than 25,000 people gathered in Montreal and Quebec City on Sunday to commemorate the 17 victims of the Paris shooting.
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The marches started at 11 a.m. to coincide with a rally in Paris to condemn terrorism.
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Mayor Denis Coderre walked with Montrealers to show his support.
Coderre spoke out to applaud the courage of the French, adding that Montrealers are with them in their time of mourning.
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“We will march in solidarity,” he said. “We are vigilant.”
The silent walk, organized by the French consulate in Montreal, met in front of Place des Arts.
It end in front of the French consulate on McGill College avenue where marchers will observe a moment of silence before breaking out in an emotional rendition of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem.
In Quebec City, marchers walked from parliament offices to the French consulate, starting also at 11 a.m.
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Quebec premier Philippe Couillard accompanied them.
“We have to reaffirm our faith in democracy and freedom,” he said.
“The worst thing we could do would be to retreat into fear.”
Twelve people were killed Wednesday after three gunmen stormed the headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, claiming revenge over cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.
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The death toll rose to 17 people after two hostage situations, including one at a kosher supermarket.
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A shootout with French police eventually led to the death of three gunmen.
There were also solidarity marches in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
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