A whopping 3.7 million people crowded the streets of Paris on Sunday in a massive march to support Charlie Hebdo. The gathering marked the largest demonstration in the history of France, but the U.S. was a no-show. America failed to send any major political representative to France to show solidarity for the cause of free speech and to condemn the terrorist attacks on the Paris-based satirical weekly magazine.
The absence of a high-profile U.S. representative has resulted in much criticism from the public as well as from political commentators, Reuters reports. Jane Hartley, the American Ambassador to France, was in attendance at the march.
Earlier today, a spokesperson for the Obama administration stated that the U.S. should have sent a prominent representative to the event. It is unclear precisely why the decision was made for the U.S. to sit out the historic march, but White House spokesperson Josh Earnest cited security concerns and scheduling conflicts as contributing factors.
Swarming the streets of Paris and elsewhere in France, millions carried signs and chanted “Je suis Charlie!” People from a diverse range of religions and political leanings joined together to condemn the attack that killed twelve people last week at the Charlie Hebdo offices, when armed men burst into the building and began shooting. Four prominent cartoonists were killed along with eight other people; four of them journalists.
The event sparked an immediate worldwide outcry from those who believe free speech cannot and will not be silenced. World leaders issued statements indicating that Muslim extremists will never succeed in causing citizens of free countries to live in fear.
Fifty prominent world leaders marched in the demonstration, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Francois Hollande, King Abdallah of Jordan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas among others. Barack Obama was conspicuously absent.
While many in the U.S. are outraged that America was a no-show at the Paris march, French President Francoise Hollande’s spokesperson said that the French have been deeply appreciative of Obama’s efforts to reach out to them after the attack. “Mr. Obama’s attentions have been very important to Mr. Hollande,” she said.
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