Not that I did it on purpose or that it happened due to a good thing, but I don’t think I could have come to Paris at a better time. This post is going to explore the Paris terror attacks and focus mainly on the results from it, so sorry if you are sick of hearing news updates about it, but this is the biggest thing that happened to Paris, and really France in general, since WWII. At certain parts, I apologize if my point of view comes across. Since I am an “outsider” and a writer for Penn State Education Abroad, I don’t want to influence my readers or push ideals on anyone.

Brief Recap of the Events

So, it all started with an attack on a satirical cartoon office named Charlie Hébdo. Two brothers went into the office and killed around 12 people. The reason seems to be that Charlie Hébdo published cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. In case you did not know, Muslims believe that the prophet Mohammed is NEVER supposed to be depicted and especially not in a way that makes fun of Islam. These brothers were found to be jihadists and trained in Syria, so it is possible that this attack meant a bit more than just the cartoons but that seems to be the apparent cause.

The next day, Thursday, 8 January 2015, a lone gunman kills a police woman and injures a man in Montrouge. At first, there was no suspicion of a connection between these two attacks; however, later on, police found that both attacks were connected.

The two brothers appeared later on as they robbed a petrol station and were followed by police. In a high speed chase with police, one of the brothers was hit by a bullet, forcing them to seek refuge in a print shop where both of the brothers were killed.

Meanwhile, police found the connection between the two brothers and the lone gunman. At this point, the lone gunman has taken people hostage in a Kosher grocery store in Paris. The lone gunman, Couliaby, said he was going to kill hostages unless the Kouachi brothers were set free. When Coulibaly knelt for his evening prayers, the French police force entered and killed Coulibaly; they found four hostages dead in the store.

There was also a female involved. She is supposedly married to Coulibaly and fleed to Turkey shortly after the events started. Police reports found that this woman made 500 calls to the wife of one of the Kouachi brothers.

I know I said a short recap but that honestly sums up the events in a small fashion. If you want more details, check out this BBC article entitled “Charlie Hebdo Attack: Three Days of Terror.” You can also search “Paris” on the BBC website and find a TON of articles about the events and aftermath. If you speak French, vous pouvez trouver beaucoup des articles dans “Le Mondee.” Suivez le ligne lemonde.fr.

The Aftermath

Just like 9/11, this event has become a national topic and it honestly affects everyone. The attack on Charlie Hebdo brings in the question of freedom of speech/press or in French, liberté de l’expression. A whole movement has surrounded it, but I will get to that later.

Furthermore, Paris, and France as a whole, has been placed on the highest possible threat level. That does not mean that France is going to get attacked again but that France and Paris in particular are going to have a larger presence of soldiers and policemen. As a student studying abroad, that brings me a lot of assurance because even if it is something as simple as a pickpocket or mugging (which is very simple compared to a terrorist situation), I now have a better chance of getting help. In State College, I get nervous when I hear any kind of siren, but here, I have captured the mentality that people are taking care of us. I am not sure if that is because of the recent events, that bad things should “never” happen in my home, that Paris is a large city and I would expect more sirens in New York than at home, or if it is because every Parisian seems to have a look of relief when a cop passes by.

Beyond the police force, there has also been an astounding international presence. There was a service for the Jewish people killed in the Kosher supermarket in Israel. Religious leaders all over are taking stances on the issue of freedom of speech, Pope Francis being quoted as saying even freedom of speech and press have boundaries. The cartoons of Charlie Hebdo have spread all around the world; however, there is a little backlash in muslim countries that believe the cartoons are not appropriate (but please keep in mind that none have found the murders of the innocents just).

Many international leaders also came to Paris in order to pay their respects to those who died and to support France in this act of terror. Notably missing from the crowd was Barack Obama.

Je Suis Charlie

This phrase is one of the most current and popular phrases and it is currently sparking a lot of debate right now. Over the four or five days that I have been in France, I have been purchasing a copy of “Le Monde” every day from les magasins “Tabac”. I have not had one copy of the paper without the words Charlie Hebdo or just Charlie in a title whether on la une or somehwere inside the paper.

Charlie Hebdo is a magazine/newspaper that prints satirical cartoons of EVERYTHING. I will not post or link any here because some of their topics are very taboo, but it is best to keep in mind that the magazine has published cartoons of the prophet Mohammed, the pope, as well as many other religious and political figures. Their company has no boundaries but they also have no biases or prejudices against one religion or one political party.

During the attack, the Kouachi brothers targeted specific people, whom I am assuming had a part to play in the making of the cartoon about Mohammed. Anyway, after the attacks, Charlie Hebdo became a representation of the right to freedom of speech and freedom of press. In order to support this belief, people wear, wave signs, spray paint/grafiti things, have phone covers and more that state “Je suis Charlie.” In English, this means “I am Charlie,” but right now it stands for a lot more than someone stating their name. These words are charged with political vigor and people of all races and religions (even Islam) are chanting these words.

I have noticed these words everywhere. On the metro, on the steps to the metro,phone cases, even on famous monuments (not spray painted but on banners and flags). This one phrase is bring the entire country together which after attacks, it is great to see a unity of all races, faiths, and backgrounds in France.

These words have also faced quite a bit of backlash. Many believe (possibly in France but I have not talked to anyone with this idea) that these words are empowering the mockery of people’s faith and government, since that is what Charlie Hebdo did, but it also is hypocritical. If you think about it, everyone in France is sporting “Je suis Charlie” but if someone tried to sport the name of one of the attackers, that person would not be looking good at the end of the day because people would probably attack him. While understandable after the previous events, this also goes against that persons freedom of speech, expression, and press.It is understandable that Charlie Hebdo has offended the muslim community but it is not like they have not offended other communities and they are not forcing anyone to read the magazine.

Conclusion

I hope that by reading this you now know a little more about what happened and Paris. As I said, this event was very tragic and has impacted Paris a lot. As of now, you are seeing Paris through my eyes and what I have found different in the newspapers and in the minds of the people. If anyone is interested in hearing how Paris has changed for a fellow Penn State student who studied here this fall semester bfore the attacks and will be studying this semester after the attacks, please comment below. If enough people are interested, I will interview her and let you know how it has changed for Americans that are abroad!

For now I head back to the beautiful neighbor that I live in; the 10e arrondissement. A bientôt!

Charlie Hebdo Funeral Article

Israel Funeral for Jewish Victims

What’s Happening in Paris

BBC Video from Supermarket Gunman (Before Shootings Happened)

 

Location: Belleville Paris, France