Terrorists in Paris

Terrorists in Paris

A terrorist attack in Paris, France left about 12 people dead on Wednesday, January 7th causing a three-day massacre the French will never forget. The attack occurred because of a cartoon portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The employees of the office were gunned down by two brothers Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi and another unknown gunman— many were killed and injured.

Within the next days, the two men were caught and held in a French prison and the next attack was inflicted upon France. Islamic terrorist, Amedy Coulibaly killed about four people and took over twelve hostage in a kosher market in France. Coulibaly claimed he would let the hostages go if the two brothers were let go, resulting in four of the hostages being killed. Coulibaly also called in the help of his wife Hayat Boumeddiene to help with the situation, she is currently said to be in Syria after her escape from France.

The French still stay united with a protest march and strike in Paris as well as two other cities in France. The protesters all meet up in Place de la République and rallied, there were about 3.7 million. They held up signs that said “je suis Charlie” which means “I am Charlie” and other sayings to protest and rally about the attacks. Even world leaders like French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and many others were there to support France in their time of struggle, but surprisingly no representation from the United States. Cassidy O’Brien, a French student at WHB, knows about the attacks and makes her claims about the safety of the U.S. in these types of situations. O’Brien states that “Yes the U.S. should be taking extra precautions because it would be foolish not to.”

The French government is still on high security from the shock of the two attacks in Paris. They are taking special safety measures to ensure the safety of the French people. This year’s trip to France is coming up in February.  Mrs. Petroski, the trip advisor and French teacher, says “the trip has not been cancelled.”  She also states that “we are monitoring the safety of the situation but wherever we go it will be safe.”