Terrorist attacks in Paris: No to violence!
Several attacks have led to scores of dead in Paris and hundreds injured.Today, more than ever, it’s necessary to position oneself clearly against violence, where ever it comes from.
The facts, still very confused
More than 140 deaths and numerous injured are the consequences of six
attacks that have taken place tonight in two districts of Paris. The
attacks took place outside the Stade de France (where President Hollande
was watching a football match and from where he was immediately
evacuated); at street cafes; and in the bloodiest case inside the
Bataclan concert hall where most deaths have occurred. Many young people
of different nationalities were at the concert.
attacks that have taken place tonight in two districts of Paris. The
attacks took place outside the Stade de France (where President Hollande
was watching a football match and from where he was immediately
evacuated); at street cafes; and in the bloodiest case inside the
Bataclan concert hall where most deaths have occurred. Many young people
of different nationalities were at the concert.
Five terrorists have died in suicide attacks or have been shot by the
police but the police haven’t ruled out the possibility that other
perpetrators were involved. As of now, no group has claimed
responsibility.
police but the police haven’t ruled out the possibility that other
perpetrators were involved. As of now, no group has claimed
responsibility.
Hollande said that the French authorities knew that an attack was being prepared but they were unable to stop it.
The French president has declared a state of emergency across the
country and has closed the borders. The army is on the streets while the
population in the affected Paris districts have been asked to go home
and not leave their houses.
country and has closed the borders. The army is on the streets while the
population in the affected Paris districts have been asked to go home
and not leave their houses.
Parisians are offering their houses as temporary refuge for those
people who cannot reach their homes and need a place to stay to be safe
from other possible attacks. The twitter hashtag #PorteOuverte (open
door) is trending worldwide. The responses of solidarity from the
population speak of how human beings can bring out the best of
themselves in the most difficult moments.
people who cannot reach their homes and need a place to stay to be safe
from other possible attacks. The twitter hashtag #PorteOuverte (open
door) is trending worldwide. The responses of solidarity from the
population speak of how human beings can bring out the best of
themselves in the most difficult moments.
International reaction from western countries has been immediate,
condemning the attacks and expressing solidarity with the French
government and people.
condemning the attacks and expressing solidarity with the French
government and people.
No to violence, where ever it comes from
There are neither political nor military measures that stop violence
through the use of more violence. Violence cannot be stopped just as no
one could stop it on this occasion, nor throughout history.
through the use of more violence. Violence cannot be stopped just as no
one could stop it on this occasion, nor throughout history.
There is no cause that justifies the death of any human being at the
hands of another. Violence always generates more violence and
fanaticism, from which ever faction, and feeds resentment and revenge in
a never-ending spiral.
hands of another. Violence always generates more violence and
fanaticism, from which ever faction, and feeds resentment and revenge in
a never-ending spiral.
The time has come for both governments and all sides involved in any
conflict to go to the root of the problems in order to give responses
that little by little disarm violence.
conflict to go to the root of the problems in order to give responses
that little by little disarm violence.
This time it is Paris, where hundreds of people have been victims of
fanatical terrorism. Before that it was Paris, London, Madrid, New York…
But let’s not forget the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have died
under the bombs of all the sides in conflict; let’s not forget Yemen,
where there is a silenced war; let’s also not forget the eternal
conflict between Palestinians and Israelis that has resurfaced in recent
weeks… And let’s not forget the millions of displaced people who are
suffering so much pain and suffering and living through the consequences
of all these wars.
fanatical terrorism. Before that it was Paris, London, Madrid, New York…
But let’s not forget the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have died
under the bombs of all the sides in conflict; let’s not forget Yemen,
where there is a silenced war; let’s also not forget the eternal
conflict between Palestinians and Israelis that has resurfaced in recent
weeks… And let’s not forget the millions of displaced people who are
suffering so much pain and suffering and living through the consequences
of all these wars.
The time has come to look for the root of every conflict and give
nonviolent solutions. Tonight, may the people of France and other
places, as well as their leaders, move away from hatred and connect with
the peace in their hearts and the light in understanding, and take a
chance on opening paths of dialogue and points of encounter between
cultures and people, while putting the accent on their populations
having dignified living conditions; a fundamental element in order to
deactivate fanatical attitudes.
nonviolent solutions. Tonight, may the people of France and other
places, as well as their leaders, move away from hatred and connect with
the peace in their hearts and the light in understanding, and take a
chance on opening paths of dialogue and points of encounter between
cultures and people, while putting the accent on their populations
having dignified living conditions; a fundamental element in order to
deactivate fanatical attitudes.
