MONTREAL – Thousands of people gathered in front of the French Consulate this afternoon to pay homage to the victims of Friday’s terror attack in Paris.
They were Canadians, French nationals and people from around the world. But today, their message transcended borders.
“It’s a message of love, of unity, of solidarity,” said organizer Daniella Meneghini. She was inspired to initiate this event after speaking with her close friend who is currently living in Paris.
Supporters laid flowers, lit candles, wrote notes on the ground in memory of the victims of Friday’s attacks, and in solidarity with the people of France.
“Let us not forget that this happened in Paris, but this happens all over the world,” said French-American Julien Baliozian. “What is most important here today is that we’re all here for the same thing: peace in the world and understanding.”
As the crowd continued to grow, police closed off the section of McGill College between Ste-Catherine Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard. Supporters joined together in unison to sing La Marseillaise.
During a minute of silence, emotions ran high, many recognizing that what happened in France could very well have happened here at home.
“No one in the world is safe against terrorists, against people who don’t believe in democracy,” said Montrealer Francois Roberge. “I hope that the French people will receive our message of solidarity and friendship.”
Currently 100,000 French citizens live in Montreal. Pauline Achard is one of them. Her parents live right beside the Bataclan concert hall where dozens of people lost their lives.
“They saw the assailants with their weapons, and they saw injured people falling in the street,” said Achard who is studying at Université de Montréal.
She said her parents aided the wounded outside their apartment. No one she knows was hurt, but her brother’s friend was among the victims. She calls the events unimaginable.
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At city hall today, the Fleur-de-lys and the Maple Leaf were at half-mast. And from the balcony, the Tricolore flew once more. A French tourist walking by told Global News that this gesture by the city of Montreal is “touching”, as is the support from around the world.
IN PHOTOS: Montreal pays homage to the victims of Paris attacks
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As many as 129 people died in Friday’s attack, including at least 100 killed in a hostage-taking at the popular Bataclan nightclub. Another 200 were injured in the attacks.
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