‘We Are All France': Vigils, Rallies Held in U.S. to Mourn Paris Attacks
By Cathy Rainone ••
The U.S. stood united behind France Saturday as the country reeled from the deadly terrorist rampage in Paris late Friday that left at least 129 dead and 352 others wounded.
As ISIS claimed responsibility for the coordinated assault, nations across the world, including the U.S., pledged solidarity with France, where President Francois Hollande declared three days of mourning and raised the nation's security to the highest level.
Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. stands ready "to provide whatever support the French government may require." He said the U.S. embassy in Paris is "making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city."
AP
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated in the French colors Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. Multiple attacks across Paris on Friday night left scores dead and hundreds injured.
Christ the Redeemer statue is lit with the colors of France's flag, in solidarity with France after attacks in Paris, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
Getty Images
The sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated in the colors of the French flag on Nov. 14, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.
AP
The Great Pyramid of Giza is illuminated with the Egyptian and French Flags in solidarity with victims of attacks in Paris, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. French reads, "Solidarity with France." The Islamic State group have claimed responsibility for Friday night's attacks in Paris, Thursdays's twin powerful suicide bombings that tore through a crowded Shiite neighborhood of Beirut, and bringing down a Russian jetliner over Egypt's Sinai region earlier this month.
AP
Two Ultra-Orthodox Jews look at Jerusalem's Old City walls illuminated by the colors of the French national flag in solidarity with France after attacks in Paris, in Jerusalem, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.
AP
The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
Getty Images
The High Roller at The LINQ Promenade on the Las Vegas Strip is lit up with the blue, white and red colors of the French flag in a show of solidarity with France on Nov. 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
NBC5
San Francisco City Hall lights up in blue, white and red on Nov. 13, 2015 as San Francisco mourns people killed in Paris attacks.
Jim Friedman
The Lit Brothers building on 8th and Market streets lights up for Paris.
AP
People walk near the Three Crosses in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, illuminated by the colors of the French national flag in solidarity with France after the attacks in Paris.
Getty Images
Kings Avenue Bridge, Parliamentary Triangle is illuminated with the colors of the French flag on Nov. 14, 2015 in Canberra, Australia.
AP
The One World Trade Center spire in New York City is lit blue, white and red on Friday night in honor of those killed in the Paris attacks.
David Finfrock/NBC
The Omni Hotel in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 13, 2015.
AP
The National Gallery is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in London, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
Getty Images
Angel of Independence is seen with the colors of France in Mexico City, Mexico, Nov. 14, 2015.
Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
The London Eye is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colors of the French national flag, in London on Nov. 14, 2015.
AP
The Government building is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in western Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
Getty Images
Lights in the colors of the French flag, light up the Auckland Museum to remember victims of the Paris attacks on Nov. 14, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
People attend a gathering to honor the victims of the Paris attacks in front of the Tel Aviv city hall, that is lit with the colors of the French national flag, in Rabin Square in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on Nov. 14, 2015.
AP
Palace Albania lit in the colors of the French flag, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, following the attacks in Paris on Friday, which included shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall.
AP
One of Malaysia's landmark buildings, Kuala Lumpur Tower, is lit with the colors of the French flag in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French police are hunting for possible accomplices of assailants who terrorized Paris concert-goers, cafe diners and soccer fans in the countryu2019s deadliest peacetime attacks, a succession of explosions and shootings that cast a dark shadow over this luminous tourist destination.
KNBC-TV
Los Angeles International Airport lit up its pylons in solidarity with Paris after Friday's terror attacks.
AFP/Getty Images
Archeological museum is illuminated with the colors of the French national flag in Skopje on Nov. 14, 2015, in tribute to the victims of deadly attacks in Paris.
AP
People walk past parts of the National Theatre in London, Great Britain lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
AP
An electronic billboard on a canal in Milan, Italy, reads in French "I am Paris," Nov. 14, 2015.
Catherine Barde Leventhal
Denver City and County Building lit up to support Paris.
AP
London landmark Tower Bridge is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
The Oriental Pearl Tower is lit up in red, white and blue colors of French national flag to mourn the victims in French terror attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Shanghai, China.
AP
With the Brandenburg Gate, illuminated in the French national colors, in the background, people lay down flowers and light candles on Nov. 14, 2015 for the victims killed in in Paris, France.
Ap
Albaniau2019s government building is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in Tirana, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
AP
The Friends Arena in Solna, outside Stockholm, Sweden, is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
AP
The Planalto Presidential Palace is seen illuminated with the colors of the flag of France in tribute to the victims of Paris attacks, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.
AP
Sarajevo city hall is seen illuminated in the colors of French national flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, in Sarajevo, Bosnia Monday, Nov. 16, 2015.
AP
The colors of France's flag are projected onto the ice as the national anthem of France is played before an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in New York. Multiple attacks across Paris on Friday night left scores dead and hundreds injured.
AP
People look at a ferris wheel illuminated with the colours of the French national flag in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, to pay tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.
AP
Mumbaiu2019s Chhatrapati Shivaji train station building is illuminated by the colors of the French national flag in solidarity with France following Fridayu2019s Paris terror attacks, Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. This Mumbai landmark was one of the major targets of the 2008 terror attacks that killed 166 people.
AP
The Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan, is illuminated with the colors of the French tricolor, as Tokyo joins other cities in lighting landmarks to show solidarity with the victims of the terror attacks in Paris, in Tokyo Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.
AP
The International Peace Bridge, which connects Canada and the United States, glows with the colors of the French flag in honor of the victims of the Paris attacks, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Buffalo, N.Y.
AP
The Palace of Culture and the modern highrise "sail" skyscraper by U.S. architect Daniel Liebeskind, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, are lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris.
In the U.S., rallies and vigils were taking place to honor the victims and to send a message of support to France, still reeling from January's three-day terror spree that left 20 people dead.
A rally was being held in New York City's Washington Square Park on Saturday, to "send our love and support to the people of France and stand with them in these terrible times," according to "New York is Paris" Facebook page. Mayor Bill de Blasio attended the event and at a press conference following the rally urged New Yorkers to look out for each other.
"If you see something, say something," he said. "That phrase is real. It is powerful."
A candlelight vigil was also set to take place at the French Consulate in New York City from 7 to 9 p.m. ET.
The Metropolitan Opera in New York City sang France's National Anthem before the 1 p.m. matinee of "Tosca," in solidarity with France.
The French Consoluate in Los Angeles and the Islamic Center of Southern California held vigils on Friday. The organizers, Muslim and interfaith leaders condemned the attacks in paris as a violation of Islamic teachers.
In Boston, a makeshift memorial for victims was growing outside the French Consulate.
Some people left flowers on Saturday. One man also left a note saying, "We are all France. A grateful USA remembers," according to television reports.
Boston Police were also keeping watch outside the consulate. A rally of support was scheduled for Sunday at noon ET.
Outside the gate to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., there were dozens of bouquets, signs of support and even a few bottles of wine.
"We love France," read one sign on Saturday. "Pray for France," read another, according to the AP.
Catherine Farvacque-Vitkovic, a Frenchwoman who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, brought a bouquet of flowers in red, white and blue.
"We need to stand up for what we believe, and I hope that people will continue to assemble, not to fear," she said.
In cities across the world, people have been placing flowers at French embassies, including in Moscow and Montreal.
Meanwhile, a Facebook page created in the aftermath of the attacks called for a candle to be lit at "every window" to honor the victims.
"A light, a candle at every window," a message in French and in English said on the page. "In this day of mourning, facing horror and grief, let's show once more that we are here, standing up, together and united. We need to commemorate the memory of the dead, and send our thoughts and full support to the injured ones and their relatives. As night falls, let us light a candle at our windows. We are not afraid, we are together."
Getty Images
People gather outside of Notre Dame Cathedral ahead of a ceremony for the victims of Friday's terrorist attacks, November 15, 2015 in Paris, France.
AP
Women comfort each other as they stand in front of the Carillon cafe, in Paris, Nov.14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack Islamic State without mercy as the jihadist group admitted responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks inflicted on France since World War II.
AP
French soldiers patrol at the Eiffel Tower, which remained closed on the first of three days of national mourning in Paris, Nov. 15, 2015.
AP
A man displays the French flag in front of the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, Nov. 17, 2015. France is demanding security aid and assistance from the European Union in the wake of the Paris attacks and has triggered a never-before-used article in the EU's treaties to secure it.
AP
Special intervention forces climb on top of a roof as they prepare to enter a house in Brussels on Nov. 16, 2015.
AP
A man holds his head in his hands as he lays flowers in front of the Carillon cafe, in Paris, Nov.14, 2015.
AP
French President Francois Hollande, center, flanked by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, right, and French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, center left, stands among students during a minute of silence in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris, Nov. 16 2015.
Getty Images
Friends reunite in memory of a victim near 'Le Bataclan' theatre on Boulevard Voltaire following Fridays terrorist attack, November 15, 2015 in Paris, France.
Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images
People light candles at the cafe 'La Belle Equipe,' Rue de Charonne, in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015, following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late on Nov. 13.
AP
Secretary of State John Kerry, left, wipes his eye after a meeting with with French President Francois Hollande in Paris, France, Nov. 17, 2015. President Barack Obama, in a statement on Nov. 13, 2015, said the U.S. is prepared to provide whatever assistance France needs in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris.
Martin Stevenson
A rose in a window at La Belle Equipe hangs in a bullet hole with a card that reads "In the name of what?"
Getty Images
Soldiers patrol in front of the Arc De Triomphe on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris, France after at least 130 people were killed and over 200 injured following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital.
AFP - Getty Images
(L-R) French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French President Francois Hollande attend an emergency meeting at the Interior Minister on Nov. 13, 2015, after several attacks in Paris.
AP
A woman being evacuated from the Bataclan theater after a shooting in Paris Nov. 13, 2015.
AP
Hundreds of people spilled onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after explosions were heard nearby during a soccer match between the French and German national soccer teams.
AP Photo/Christophe Ena
A French soccer supporter reacts at the Stade de France after explosions were heard nearby.
AP Photo/Michel Euler
Investigating police officers work outside the Stade de France stadium after an international friendly soccer match France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Nov. 13, 2015.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Tributes are displayed on the Place de la République in Paris, France on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
Pope Francis on Saturday told the Italian Bishops Conference TV2000 that the attacks in Paris were "part" of a "third World War," which is being waged through crimes, massacres, religious persecution and the destruction of cultural sites, according to the AP. He said "there are no justifications for these things."
In the U.K., two vigils were planned in London's Trafalgar Square in honor of those killed. The first event was planned for 9 a.m. ET and a larger gathering was expected at 2 pm ET.
Landmarks across the world glowed blue, white and red, the colors of the French flag, Friday night.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed One World Trade Center to light up in blue, white and red "as we stand in solemn solidarity with the people of France, just as they have done for us in our own times of tragedy," he said in a statement.
The 408-foot spire on top of the building – constructed after Sept. 11, 2011 terror attacks – was lit up in the colors of the French flag Friday night, and will stay that way in the nights ahead.
The Empire State Building, meanwhile, went dark at 10 p.m. Friday in sympathy with Paris.
At New York's Union Square Park Friday night, dozens gathered to hold a candlelight vigil. They stood in a circle around a sign drawn on the ground, symbolizing both the peace sign and the Eiffel Tower, holding candles and the French flag.
Photos of the vigil were posted to social media with hashtags like #prayers4paris and #newyork4paris.
A photo posted by Mattia Tarelli (@mattiatarelli) on Nov 13, 2015 at 6:33pm PST
At the French Embassy in New York City, workers lowered the French flag outside the building where people left flowers. One woman was overcome with tears as she lit a candle to leave on the doorstep.
"First it gripped me. Now I'm angry and saddened and I want to pay homage to the French people, all the lives lost senselessly," said Theresa Thomas, who lives on the Upper East Side.
Vigils and rallies called "Chicago Stands with Paris" were held at the French consulate in Chicago at 6:00pm EST. On Sunday, the Alliance Francaise organized a "French in Chicago: Thoughts for Paris" vigil at 3:00 pm EST at the consulate.
San Francisco's City Hall, the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Toronto's CN Tower, for decades the tallest freestanding structure in the world, were also lit blue, white and red on Friday.
The Sydney Opera House also lit up in solidarity with France and more than 200 people gathered in Sydney's Martin Place, scene of the Lindt cafe siege, to hold a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the Paris attacks.
London's Tower Bridge was illuminated in the colors of France's flag Saturday evening and so was Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate. Hundreds of people gathered Saturday on Paris Square, in front of the gate, in a show of solidarity with France, the AP reported.
But Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted out the Eiffel Tower will remain dark Saturday evening in mourning and in solidarity with the victims of the attack.
