Almost a week has passed since the three-day rampage that killed 17 people and the three gunmen in an attack centered around the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. This event shook the French nation and the globe. Here is a look at the reactions.
1. Al-Qaida claims responsibility for the massacre.
A Yemeni branch of Al Qaeda took responsibility for the deadly attack against Charlie Hebdo. They claim the al-Qaeda leadership chose the target saying the massacre was in retaliation for the mocking depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. Though it’s unclear why the group waited to claim responsibility for the massacre, experts believe that al-Qaeda claim iscredible. Radicalization has been seen throughout the globe, particularly since the evolution of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and it’s time for nations to better understand the reasons disaffected citizens join terrorist causes.
2. Historic “Unity Rallies” draws millions worldwide.
Masses of people joined world leaders in Paris for the largest rally in the city’s history. Millions more joined in in cities across the globe to show solidarity for those fallen in the Charlie Hebdo attacks (check out my article on the marches here. “Je Suis Charlie” (the ubiquitous slogan meaning “I am Charlie”) was seen throughout the globe. It is heartening to see the solidarity and support displayed toward the French people and the victims of the attacks. The rallies have helped to give unity to the French people – and the nation’s peoples should be saluted for their courage to gather in large numbers in the wake of the violence.
3. Mass printing of Charlie Hebdo in Anticipation of High Demand.
Charlie Hebdo’s first issue since the attack was defiant with the cover depicting the Prophet Muhammad holding a “Je suis Charlie” sign below a caption reading “All is forgiven.” Parisians lined up at newsstands and scuffles broke out at kiosks as copies of the publication ran low. Proceeds from the three-million-copy run (more than 50 times the paper’s normal circulation) will go to the victim’s families. The provocative cover seeks to offend, and though not a completely uniform response, solidarity for Charlie Hebdo is widespread both within France and abroad. I find it difficult to defend the challenging caricature of Muhammad - despite my strong belief in freedom of expression – there is a fine-line between hate speech and free speech that needs to be carefully considered.
4. Thousands of Police Deployed Across France.
France has ordered 10,000 troops to guard the nation’s streets and other sites that may be subject to terrorist attacks – including 717 Jewish schools. The French government has called for measures to reinforce electronic surveillance and to stop jihadist recruitment in prisons and other sites of radicalization. The increased military presence in the country, and the mounting questions over the French government’s failure to prevent the killings, recalls the mood in the United States following the 9-11 attacks. France’s militarist response to the attacks on Charlie Hebdo pits the need for national security against civil liberties. Given the critique currently raging the United States over police militarization and the sordid legacy of decreased freedoms following the attacks of the World Trade Towers, France should take a serious history lesson from the United States: Exercise restraint and do not imperil freedoms that are the core of Western democracies.
5. The French Muslim Reaction to Charlie Hebdo.
Muslims within France warn of increasing anti-Islam backlash as the country mourned the deadly attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket. Activist organization in France are concerned about the anti-Muslim acts reported in the past week and have asked the authorities to be vigilant in ensuring the security of mosques and Muslim citizens. Anti-Islamic reactions were prevalent in the United States following 9-11. Islamophobia is real, and it is critical that individuals are able to separate their understanding of Islam from their understanding of extremism and terrorism. Often the best way to gain empathy for others is to start conversations – remaining calm, and respectful, is important as terrorism continues to plague our globe. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said: only love can drive out hate.
6. Declaration of War on Radical Islam by French Prime Minister.
On Tuesday of this week, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls delivered a speech to ?the National Assembly in Paris declaring that his country “is at war with terrorism, jihadists and radical Islamism.” Vall’s comments came before a 4888-to-1 vote to re-authorize French airstrikes against militants of the ISIS. France’s airstrikes against the ISIS are part of international efforts against the group. The US is also involved in airstrikes. Despite the prevalence of strikes, it is arguable that they are making the situation worse, that bombing could inspire more extremist violence. Debate on the effectiveness of violent retribution is important. My personal take is one of pacifism: violence only begets violence.
7. Response to the Attacks from the European Right.
Marie Le Pen, French leader of the far-right, has long been known for her divisive views on immigration. Likening Islamic prayer to Nazi occupation, Le Pen is using the attacks as a platform to create disunity. While French President Francois Hollande urges the country to “stick together,” this type rhetoric is not in Le Pen’s lexicon. Other nationalist leaders across Europe are using the attacks to promote thinking that open borders and liberal tolerance has increased jihadism. This argument is absurd and fuels the fire of hatred and disunity. Instead of buying into vitriol, avoid religious profiling and caricaturing.
The tragedy of the massacre on Charlie Hebdo was the worst terrorist attack in France in a generation. I call for us – as Global Citizens – to stand with the French people, and denounce terrorism not just in the Islamic world, but globally. But it is critical not to respond to terrorists’ intolerance with our own. All too often, Westerners (and I speak as an American women) have a uniform and biased impression of the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Being respectful towards all faiths is good for civil society overall, and can help combat the increasing radicalism that has been emerging over the last several decades.
I encourage discussion on whether or not increased tolerance would have deterred the attacks. What is your opinion on the limits of free speech and the violence that is seen globally stemming from radical ideologies? Speak out in the comments.
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Kathleen Ebbitt