World leaders put aside their differences to link arms defiantly and lead a march of millions of people through Paris in an extraordinary display of unity against terrorism yesterday.
French President Francois Hollande joined worldwide counterparts including British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas at the rally through the French capital.
The demonstration – reportedly the biggest since 1944 when Paris was liberated from the Nazis – came in response to the deadly terrorist attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher supermarket and police in France over the past week.
With tight security, the emotionally-charged march of more than three million people paid tribute to the 17 people killed in the attacks. Some wept and hugged and chanted “Je suis Charlie” in solidarity to the staff of Charlie Hebdo.
“Today, Paris is the capital of the world,” French President Francois Hollande said. “The entire country will rise up.”
He warned the country not to drop its guard with the risk of potential new attacks. Mr Hollande had earlier met with representatives from the Jewish community and reportedly agreed to deploy soldiers to protect Jewish schools and synagogues “if necessary.”
Along with the more than 40 world leaders, families of the victims and surviving staff of Charlie Hebdo were at the front of the march.
In a rare display of unity that drew much attention, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas walked within a few feet of each other.
Senate president Stephen Parry was set to attend the march on behalf of Australia.
Marches were also held across France and the globe, from Berlin and Beirut to Tokyo and Sydney, where more than 500 people rallied in Martin Place where 18 people were taken hostage by an armed gunman in the Lindt Café siege last month.
People of all faiths, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, participated in the rallies.
World leaders and dignitaries, including (L-R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a mass unity rally following the recent Paris terrorist attacks on January 11, 2015 in Paris, France.
World leaders including (L-R) Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Queen Rania and King Abdullah II of Jordan attend the rally.
It was estimated one million people converged in central Paris for the Unity March joining in solidarity with the 17 victims of this week’s terrorist attacks in the country.
French President Francois Hollande welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee Palace before attending a Unity rally.
French President Francois Hollande welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
People attending the mass unity rally climb monuments to plant French flags.
Meanwhile in Washington, Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and Gerad Araud, Ambassador of France to the United States, right, march with hundreds of demonstrators from the Newseum to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the Unity Rally.
The phrase of unity, “Je suis Charlie”.
“The pen is mightier than the sword” – These rallies have given a whole new meaning to the phrase.
