San Francisco and other cities throughout the world joined in solidarity with Paris by holding candlelight vigils in front of the French Consulate on Friday and Saturday nights to mourn the loss of life at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists in the aftermath of France’s most brutal attack in recent history.
“I think the world is in serious trouble,” Oakland resident Ruth Hurvitz told the San Francisco Chronicle outside the French Consulate.
S.F. stands with Paris pic.twitter.com/KmC6k3NnxR
— SFGate (@SFGate) November 14, 2015
San Franciscans, French nationals and others reportedly gathered outside of the French Consulate on Kearny Street both nights lighting candles, leaving flowers and marking their commitment to standing strong in the face of terrorism with notes they left along the consulate wall. Over 129 people, hailing from various parts of the world lost their lives on Friday night.
Among them was California native and Cal State University, Long Beach student Nohemi Gonzalez, 23, who died from gunshot wounds fired by a terrorist at a restaurant in Paris on Friday while she had been dining with some of her fellow classmates.
Outside of the consulate, people reportedly sang songs and left notes, including “Nous sommes tous paris” which means “we are all Paris.”
San Francisco City Hall was lit up with the colors of the French flag to show solidarity with France. Video from the French consulate in San Francisco shows French nationals and San Franciscans singing in unison outside of the town hall, where over 1,000 people reportedly gathered:
On Sunday, city officials and French diplomats gathered for a day of remembrance at City Hall for San Francisco’s sister city, Paris. Also on Sunday, hundreds of mourners gathered in Long Beach to remember Gonzalez.
Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter @AdelleNaz and on Facebook.
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