Officials have said that over three million people, including dozens of world leaders, marched in solidarity following last week’s terrorist attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and at a Kosher deli that left 17 dead and a nation wounded.
Wielding “Je Suis Charlie Hebdo” signs, activists and residents marched through the streets of Paris in a unified rally both mourning the victims of terrorist attacks and in defiance of living in fear. Officials have estimated the number of participants to be between 1.3 million and 2 million, reports BBC. In neighboring French cities, similar demonstrations took place and turnout was strong, with up to 1 million people combined, according to AFP.
French president Francois Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, British prime minister David Cameron and other prominent world leaders marched with the crowds, and gathered for a minute of silence before kicking off the march, which started at the Place de la Republique and snaked through the city, ending at the Place de la Nation.
According to officials, the anti-terrorism rally is the largest demonstration in French history, reports The Guardian. Check out highlights from the rally below.
A general view shows hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
A giant figure depicting Marianne, the symbol of France, is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
French columnist for Charlie Hebdo Patrick Pelloux (4thL) and cartoonist Luz (2ndL) take part with family members and relatives of the seventeen victims in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Yves Herman/Reuters
A man holds a giant pencil as he takes part in a Hundreds of thousands of French citizens solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Stephane Mahe/Reuters
A general view shows hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Eric Gaillaird/Reuters
Citizens carrying placards reading "Charlie it is us" and "The religions united against the hatred" take part in a Hundreds of thousands of French citizens solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015. Charles Platiau
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (2ndL), French President Francois Hollande (C), Germany's Chancellor Angela Merke (4thL), European Council President Donald Tusk (5thL) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend the solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015.Philippe Wojazer/Reuters
A woman holds colour pencils during a silent protest and tribute to the victims of the shootings by gunmen at the offices of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.Darrin Zammit/Reuters
People walk past a grafitti tag reading "I am Charlie" as they take part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January 11, 2015.Eric Gaillard/Reuters
A man holds up a giant pencil during a march for the victims of the shootings by gunmen at the offices of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, in Brussels January 11, 2015. Francois Lenoir/Reuters