About
The 2015 Charlie Hebdo Terrorist attack was a mass shooting that took place on January 7th 2015 inside and outside of Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters in Paris, France, resulting in at least 12 deaths and many more wounded, including major journalists and cartoonists from the satyrical weekly as well as its director of publication. The armed men then fled the scene.
Background
At around 11.30 a.m (GMT), two hooded men equipped with Kalachnikov rifles stormed the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a French left-wing satirical weekly newspaper existing since 1970, and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 3 police officers and 9 employees including Cabu (Jean Cabut), 78 and Georges Wollinsky, 80, cartoonists and co-founders of the newspaper, as well as Charb (Stéphane Charbonnier), 47, cartoonist and Charlie Hebdo’s director of publication and Tignous (Bernard Verlhac), 47, another famous cartoonist[1].
In a cell-phone video from a witness that took refuge on the roof of a building (shown below), the attackers are heard yelling Allahu Ackbar. Others showed them yelling that they avenged the Prophet Mahomet[2].
VIDEO. Des images de l'attaque au siège de…par francetvinfo
Preliminary reports state that there were 3 allegedly Muslim men responsible for the attack and that they claimed to be part of Al-Quaïda. According to French newspapers, this is the deadliest terrorist attack on French soil since 1978[4].
Previous Incidents
In 2011, Charlie Hebdo’s previous headquarters were set ablaze by a molotov[5]. In 2012, following Mahomet caricatures published in the newspaper, several Muslim associations condemned it[6].
Notable Development
Online Reaction
On Twitter, the hashtag #Jesuischarlie (I am Charlie) was launched for netizens to show their support for the victims[3]. The Facebook page “Je suis Charlie” has gained more than 47 000 likes and counting in the first hours of its creation, calling for peaceful demonstrations through out the world[7] and inviting everyone to change their profile avatar to a picture of “Je suis Charlie”.
French President’s speech
As soon as the attack was acknowledged by the French government, president François Hollande made a speech condemning it, expressing his shock, mourning the tragic loss of lives and organizing a meeting to reevaluate France’s vigipirate plans to defend the country against foreign threats[8] (shown below).
International Reaction
Within hours of the ordeal, several news sites relayed public statements from countries around the world, especially from the US White House and John Kerry[9]. It also includes several Muslim organizations (such as the French CFCM) speaking against the attack and condemning it[10].
Notable Images
External References (in French)
[1]Les Echos – En DIRECT Attentat à Charlie Hebdo : la France « touchée dans son coeur » selon Valls#
[2]BFMTV– EN DIRECT– Charlie Hebdo: les dessinateurs Cabu, Charb, Wolinski, et Tignous tués dans l’attentat
[3]Le Point – Charlie Hebdo – #Jesuischarlie : la solidarité s’exprime sur les réseaux sociaux
[4]Les Echos – Les réactions affluent après l’attentat à Charlie Hebdo
En savoir plus sur http://www.lesechos.fr/politique-societe/societe/0204060679468-les-reactions-affluent-apres-lattentat-a-charlie-hebdo-1081035.php?DdsQLkWe8J4AGOq0.99
[5]Libération – «Charlie Hebdo» incendié, Guéant dénonce un «attentat»
[6]CFCM– Le CFCM condamne les dessins islamophobes de Charlie Hebdo et appelle les musulmans à ne pas céder à la provocation
[7]Facebook – Je suis Charlie
[8]Le Point – Carnage à “Charlie Hebdo” – Hollande : «C’est un attentat terrorist»
[9]Le Dauphine – Fusillade de Charlie Hebdo : les réactions
[10]Le Telegramme – Sur les réseaux, la stupeur et l’horreur des musulmans de France