“It is because they represented life that they were killed.”
A memorial service was held in France today in memory of the 130 people who were killed in the attacks on Paris two weeks ago.
French President Francois Hollande spoke at the service, which was attended by thousands of people, including many of those who had been injured during the attacks.
“We will not give in either to fear or to hate,” he stated.
French President Francois Hollande
“To all of you, I solemnly promise that France will do everything to destroy the army of fanatics that committed these crimes.
“130 destinies had been stolen, 130 laughs that will never be heard again,” he continued, adding that the majority of victims were under the age of 35.
“It is because they represented life that they were killed, it’s because they represented France that they were slaughtered, it’s because they represented freedom that they were massacred.”
Thousands attend the “national and republican” tributeHe stated that the attackers had acted “in the name of an insane cause and a betrayed God” and that France would respond with more “songs, concerts and shows.”
Names of the 130 victims of the #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/yBSxk2om5v
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) November 27, 2015
A minute’s silence was held after the names of the victims were read out, photos of the 130 people played on a screen as singers performed Quand on n’a que l’amour (When All We Have Is Love) by Jacques Brel.
Images: Getty
