All posts tagged: égalité

Marche Républicaine, Je suis Charlie, Paris

Marche Républicaine

Yesterday was a day of unity and defiance in Paris, as nearly four million people joined in France’s biggest rally in history. The purpose of the march was to pay respect and remember the victims of the attacks this week, to show solidarity, and to show the nation’s values of liberté, égalité, fraternité. I am truly honoured to have been able to be part of this moment in history, and my own experience of the march was unforgettable. As we waited to walk, the atmosphere in the Place de la République was extraordinary. This was really an occasion of harmony, as people of all ages, religions and nationalities were part of the rally. Adorning the crowds were messages of ‘Je suis Charlie’ and ‘Nous sommes Charlie’, not only in French but in various other languages including Arabic. Other declared ‘Nous some la République’, ‘Je suis Musilm’ and one noticeable sign I saw, read: ‘Je préfère mourir debout que vivre à genoux’ (‘I’d rather die standing than live on your knees’). There were also hundreds of …