Vigils are being held in Paris for the second night to remember the twelve people shot dead in a terrorist attack at the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Place de la Republique in the city’s center on Wednesday night, standing in solidarity and support of freedom of speech. Journalists held up press cards and the public thrusted pens into the air, while many held signs declaring “Je Suis Charlie,” “I am Charlie” in French, which has become the de facto slogan since the killings. The Independent describes the mood of last night’s vigil as “somber but defiant.”
A candle is held aloft by actress Lou Douillon at a vigil in Place de la Republic in Paris, Jan. 8, 2015Youssef Boudlal/Reuters
Ten journalists and two policemen were killed on Wednesday. In a separate incident, a policewoman was shot dead in Paris on Thursday, although it’s not yet clear if there’s a connection to the Charlie Hebdo shooting.
Pens and pencils are seen near candles at a vigil in Place de Republic in Paris, Jan. 8, 2015. Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
With the three gunmen still at large, French anti-terrorist police are focusing their efforts around a small town northeast of Paris. Two of the gunmen have been named as brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi, 32 and 34, both French nationals. An 18-year-old man turned himself into police in Charleville-Mézières on Wednesday night.
A man holds a copy of weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo to pay tribute during a gathering at the Place de la Republique in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015.Christian Hartmann/Reuters
French media companies Le Monde, Radio France and France Télévisions have offered to keep Charlie Hebdo running. On Thursday, the magazine’s publisher said one million copies will be printed next week, up from the regular run of 30,000 copies.
HAPPENING NOW: for a 2nd night vigils in Place de la République to honour the victims #ParisShooting#JeSuisCharliepic.twitter.com/NM1TgMADQn
— Tom Burges Watson (@Tburgeswatson) January 8, 2015
In #Paris at the vigil tonight pic.twitter.com/ePqykoOGyU
— Justine Quart (@justinequart) January 8, 2015
Crowds gather at Paris shooting vigil in St Helier pic.twitter.com/niObYwzQuj
— ITV News Channel TV (@itvchanneltv) January 8, 2015