Je Suis Paris

France, 13th of November 2015. A Dark date in modern world history. Before any reports, or further information on behalf of all bloggers, editors and everybody connected somehow to the Koźmiński New Media Club, I would like to express our condolences, compassion and feelings of deep sadness. Our prayers and thoughts are with Paris now.

#PrayforParis #JeSuisParis

Official statement

According do BBC News the chronology of the terrorist attacks was as follows[1] :

21:20 – First explosion near Stade de France
21:25 – Shooting at Le Carillon bar and Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, rue Alibert
21:30 – Second explosion near Stade de France
21:32 – More shooting nearby, at the interection of rue Fontaine au Roi and rue Faubourg du Temple
21:38 – Shooting at La Belle Equipe bar, rue de Charonne
21:43 – Explosion at boulevard Voltaire, near Bataclan concert hall
21:49 – Shooting at Bataclan, then explosions
21:53 – Third explosion at Stade de France

129 people were killed and 352 injured during Friday’s attacks. The French Islamic association (CFCM), in its official call has spoken about the Paris terror attacks as “hideous” and “abhorrent.”[2] Muslims all over the world responded with action #notinmyname that aims to divide Muslims from the terrorists that are responsible for the attack. The attack was said to be, “the worst thing that happened to Paris since “WWII” As a reminder : Facebook has the option to mark people as safe. Try to contact your friends and inform them about that feature.

Lights for France

People all over the world shows their feelings toward the French nation, crowding in front of French embassies and performing moments of silence, for the victims of the attack. Eiffel Tower faded, but many different world famous structures have the colors of French flag.[3][4]

Warsaw for Paris

In front of the French embassy in Warsaw people have placed hundreds of snitches, flowers and drawings. I had the opportunity to visit the embassy myself, and I encourage all of you to do the same. It is hard not shed a tear or two. Leave a candle/snitch or anything that will remind people of what happened. I believe that actions are needed, just to keep us aware, and give us more compassion. At night time the embassy entrance looks just beautiful. I was even able to take some photos.

French government official statement

During the night of 13th of November France President François Hollande stated that: “I (…) called a cabinet meeting (…) Two decisions will be taken: a state of emergency will be declared (…) throughout the France territory. The second decision I made was to close the borders. We have to ensure that no one can enter and commit any act. We must also ensure that those who committed these crimes, are equally apprehended if they were to try to leave the country.”[5]

Not only France

The attention of all Europe is now on France. As your partner, and friend in diplomacy, that is understandable, but Lebanon suffered from a terrorist attack as well. On Friday two suicide bombers on motorcycles killed at least 43 people and wounded more than 200 others in Beirut. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack[6].

That attack happened just 5 hours before the attacks in France. We need to divide our attention and compassion, so nothing like this ever happens again. As a young person and an international student I believe that we have to be the ones that will make a difference. We can change it all.

“Peace does not mean absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences in peaceful means; through dialog, education, knowledge; and through humane ways”

Dalai Lama

[4] Fot. Tomasz Gzell / PAPfot. Tomasz Gzell / PAP fot. Tomasz Gzell / PAP fot. Tomasz Gzell / PAP

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaXgiR8b2Y – Translation provided by “Sky News”

2 Responses to “Je Suis Paris”

Ksenia Dovgui, on November 19th, 2015 at 15:16 Said:

Despite negative comments that may occur about this particular post on this particular blog, Im really proud of what you did. It is not about politics or smth, it is about humans’ life priceless. Great post. #PrayforParis
Sakthi Mirthula, on November 19th, 2015 at 23:34 Said:

@Alexsander Love the way you’ve framed this blog post :)

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