Je Suis Charlie
A movement that became part of the headlines all over the world…3 days of terror
The issue of Charlie Hebdo has been in everyone’s conversation since the beginning of 2015. Many might know about it as a simple terrorist attack towards the French newspaper, but what did really happen? According to BBC news the gunmen were tempted to attack due to the release of a satirical cartoon that offended the prophet, Muhammad. As revenge, Cherif and Said Kouachi, strong Islamic followers, decided to defend and enforce respect for their religion in a violent form.
The incident happened in Paris, France on Wednesday, January 7th. The gunmen arrived at the scene and accessed the building by assaulting a cartoonist who was trying to enter with her daughter. After entering, they began shooting at everyone; they even interrupted a meeting in which several cartoonists were present along with the editorial staff, causing the death of 12 workers. The attackers yelled “We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad” and “God is Great” while firing at the employees. Unfortunately, they fled the place right when the police arrived, eventually putting Paris into red alert for terrorist attack.
On January 8th, while policemen were searching for the suspects of Charlie Hebdo, a lone gunman shot two people in southern Paris. He was initially thought to have no connection with the newspaper attack, but was later confirmed to have association with the two assailants. The city of lights was filled with fear. As the day went on, the criminal brothers were later found and persecuted into a building known to be a printing firm called Creation Tendance Decouverte after robbing a service station and firing some shots. They kept hidden for 8 hours while cops waited outside. Right before 5pm the attackers decided to die as “martysr” and came out firing at the police. Both criminals were reported dead after the counterattack. However, there was still a cause to worry about. A hostage at a kosher deli was reported at Port de Vincennes after a shootout, in which the keepers were said to be Amedy Coulibaly and Hayat Boumeddiene. As allies of the Kouchi brothers, they were threatening to kill people unless their partners were freed. The problem ended with the death of Coulibaly while trying to confront the police and Boumeddiene fleeing the country.
Je Suis Charlie was the message that touched everyone’s hearts and became a worldwide phenomenon after the issue. The phrase of condolence, outrage and defiance broke through quickly, giving the attention needed to the incident of the newspaper. Countries all over the world have shown solidarity by going to the streets and protesting. “I Am Charlie,” what about you?
By: Veronica Guerra
A movement that became part of the headlines all over the world…3 days of terror
The issue of Charlie Hebdo has been in everyone’s conversation since the beginning of 2015. Many might know about it as a simple terrorist attack towards the French newspaper, but what did really happen? According to BBC news the gunmen were tempted to attack due to the release of a satirical cartoon that offended the prophet, Muhammad. As revenge, Cherif and Said Kouachi, strong Islamic followers, decided to defend and enforce respect for their religion in a violent form.
The incident happened in Paris, France on Wednesday, January 7th. The gunmen arrived at the scene and accessed the building by assaulting a cartoonist who was trying to enter with her daughter. After entering, they began shooting at everyone; they even interrupted a meeting in which several cartoonists were present along with the editorial staff, causing the death of 12 workers. The attackers yelled “We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad” and “God is Great” while firing at the employees. Unfortunately, they fled the place right when the police arrived, eventually putting Paris into red alert for terrorist attack.
On January 8th, while policemen were searching for the suspects of Charlie Hebdo, a lone gunman shot two people in southern Paris. He was initially thought to have no connection with the newspaper attack, but was later confirmed to have association with the two assailants. The city of lights was filled with fear. As the day went on, the criminal brothers were later found and persecuted into a building known to be a printing firm called Creation Tendance Decouverte after robbing a service station and firing some shots. They kept hidden for 8 hours while cops waited outside. Right before 5pm the attackers decided to die as “martysr” and came out firing at the police. Both criminals were reported dead after the counterattack. However, there was still a cause to worry about. A hostage at a kosher deli was reported at Port de Vincennes after a shootout, in which the keepers were said to be Amedy Coulibaly and Hayat Boumeddiene. As allies of the Kouchi brothers, they were threatening to kill people unless their partners were freed. The problem ended with the death of Coulibaly while trying to confront the police and Boumeddiene fleeing the country.
Je Suis Charlie was the message that touched everyone’s hearts and became a worldwide phenomenon after the issue. The phrase of condolence, outrage and defiance broke through quickly, giving the attention needed to the incident of the newspaper. Countries all over the world have shown solidarity by going to the streets and protesting. “I Am Charlie,” what about you?
By: Veronica Guerra