Most of you out there have likely heard of the horrible attacks that took place in France this last week. Many died because they had the courage to say what was on their minds, despite the fact that the people they were criticizing are known for violent retaliation. A second tragedy occurred when police found the gunmen responsible and were forced into a shootout. Now, the people of New York are joining the people of France in solidarity.
Hundreds of people took to the streets to offer their support in France’s hour of need. They held pens aloft and carried signs with the now-popular slogan “Je Suis Charlie” - I am Charlie. This is but one manifestation of the outrage against this violence. Cartoonists the world over have been mimicking Charlie Hebdo’s approach and making their criticisms of Islamic extremism known. And although nothing will remove the tragedy, those who committed it now have tens-of-thousands of enemies that they didn’t have a week ago.
Photo courtesy of Valentina Cala via flickr
