After bells tolled in France Thursday, a moment of silence started a national day of mourning there, one that was echoed around the world.
"On behalf of all Winnipeggers, we share your grief today. We stand in solidarity against the perpetrators of this senseless act. We stand with you. We stand with France," said Mayor Brian Bowman during the noon hour at city hall Thursday.
Flags were lowered to half-mast, as a moment of silence in our city was held.
“I don’t even think tragedy is a strong enough word, tragedy seems accidental, unavoidable, and what happened yesterday at Charlie Hebdo was anything but unavoidable,” said Bowman in his speech to attendees.
Eight journalists, two police officers, a guest and a maintenance worker were killed in Wednesday’s attack. Eleven other people were injured, four of them critically.
Winnipeg’s Honorary Consul of France, Bruno Burnichon, broke in to tears as he spoke.
“The freedom of speech has to stay. We have the liberty to speak. The press has the liberty to express itself. Democracy has to continue and we will continue,” he said.
The vigil was held on the second floor of Winnipeg’s city hall.
Another vigil was held Wednesday night in Winnipeg at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
One more is expected Monday, Jan. 12 at noon at the Student Centre of St. Boniface University.
