Thousands rally in Australian cities to remember Charlie Hebdo victims | World news | The GuardianThousands rally in Australian cities to remember Charlie Hebdo victims | World news | The Guardian










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Charlie Hebdo attack



Thousands rally in Australian cities to remember Charlie Hebdo victims









Demonstrations in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth express defiance in the face of attack that killed 12 people in Paris
























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Australian Associated Press


Thursday 8 January 2015 16.12 EST







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A defiant rendition of La Marseillaise concluded a vigil by more than a thousand people in central Sydney on Thursday night to remember those killed in the Paris massacre.
The large crowd gathered at Martin Place to hold a minute’s silence at the same time as France stopped to remember those killed in the attack on the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.
A large section of Martin Place – the site of the recent floral tributes after the deadly Sydney siege – was filled with people, most holding placards reading “Je suis Charlie”. Others held candles and French flags.
France’s ambassador to Australia, Christophe Lecourtier, addressed the gathering, saying: “The terrorists tried to target one of the most important principles in our country, which is the freedom of the press, the freedom of expression. But there is a very strong reaction from the French people, as we are doing here today in Sydney.
“Democracy is not something weak, it is something strong, and we shall never surrender against terror.”
The ambassador then led the crowd in a rendition of the French national anthem. Another, even louder rendition concluded the vigil.
Parisian Coralie Dagostino, 22, said she was at Martin Place to show it was “important to stay free”.
“I hope it is the last time something like this happens,” Dagostino said. “I’m glad to see a lot of French people here tonight. We must not be afraid.”


— William Brougham (@WilliamBrougham)
January 8, 2015
Thousands of French ex pats and Australians hold a vigil at Sydney's Martin Place. #CharlieHebdo #jesuischarlie pic.twitter.com/z3rqc7KTgj



Ronan Dumas, 19, said he was overwhelmed by sadness about what had happened.
“There is no words to describe it,” said Dumas, a Sydney student from Corsica. “It’s hard to find the words. It’s painful.”
Earlier, bouquets of flowers were laid at Sydney’s French consulate. A condolence book has been set up at the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance headquarters in Redfern, where a mural of jailed Australian al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste has been painted.
The expression “Je suis Charlie” has been written on the wall next to it.
A condolence book was due to be available at Sydney’s French consulate from Friday.
In Melbourne, more than 1,000 people gathered at Federation Square. The event was organised by French national Maeva Siena, who knows a survivor of the attack. Siena told the ABC her friend worked at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, and was injured in the gunmen’s attack.
“He’s not dead ... that’s the best information we have. He’s been injured and is in hospital for now.”


— Kristina Kukolja (@KristinaKukolja)
January 8, 2015
In #Melbourne, a minute of silence for #Paris @Fed_Square #parisattack pic.twitter.com/jN2D7v3BRc



Siena said she wanted the vigil to be a demonstration of unity and support, and a defence of freedom of speech.
“Everybody is welcome. I don’t know who they are, or in what they believe, we just need to be together. It doesn’t matter what we think about religion or politics, we just have to be together.”
A vigil was also held at Perth’s Forrest Place.
Across Australia, people took to social media to express their solidarity with the victims of the Charlie Hebdo assault, and the people of France.
Tens of thousands took to the streets in Paris to show their solidarity for the 12 people killed by gunmen at the offices of the magazine.
President Francois Hollande declared a day of national mourning on Thursday after the worst attack on French soil in decades.
A manhunt was continuing on Thursday night French time for those responsible for the massacre.

With Ben Doherty




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