Silent march in Washington to commemorate French terrorist attacks

Lithuanian Ambassador Pavilionis draped in the Lithuanian flag joined Ukrainian Ambassador Motsyk and the French Ambassador Araud in the silent march  Photo Ludo Segers

The marchers in Washington came also to lend support to those that fight and maintain freedom of expression and in solidarity remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris. From the Newseum the marchers walked in silence to the Memorial for Law Enforcement Officers in Washington, D.C. Various law enforcement officers also came out in solidarity with their fallen French colleagues. Many of marchers were waving French flags and the “Je suis Charlie” signs. Some of them held homemade creations such a very large pencil with ‘Charlie’ inscribed.

Among the marchers, US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, Victoria Nuland, and former French Minister of Finance, Christine Lagarde, now Managing Director of the IMF. Ms. Lagarde held a pencil to symbolize the contribution of all cartoonists to the freedom of expression. It was this freedom of expression that was so viciously attacked at satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, this past week in Paris.

The Ukrainian Ambassador Olexander Motsyk and the Lithuanian Ambassador Žygimantas Pavilionis also joined in the march. Ambassador Pavilionis, draped in the Lithuanian flag, said: “It is our duty to stand with our Western brothers that are under attack today.” Ambassador Pavilionis added: “Lithuania is close to an area where every day terrorism is being sponsored at the state level and where our Ukrainian brothers are being killed on regular basis by cold-blooded KGB (FSB) killers or terrorist that are inspired and armed by Moscow.”

The peaceful march ended at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, dedicated to all those who lost their lives, protecting law and order, and the safety of people.

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