France marks Paris attacks anniversary with somber silence

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AP:

ELAINE GANLEY

Nov. 13, 2016

 

PARIS (AP) — France marked the anniversary of Islamic extremists' coordinated attacks on Paris with a somber silence on Sunday that was broken only by voices reciting the names of the 130 slain, and the son of the first person to die stressing the importance of integration.

 

Michael Dias lauded the lessons his father Manuel, an immigrant from Portugal, taught him so youth can integrate instead of turning themselves into "cannon fodder."

 

Under heavy security, President Francois Hollande unveiled a plaque outside the Stade de France "in memory of Manuel Dias," pulling away a French flag covering it on a wall at one of the entrances to the French national stadium, where Dias was killed on Nov. 13, 2015, by a suicide bomber.

 

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[Valin]

Paris: A Year After the Attacks
Erika Haas
Nov 13, 2016

A year ago today, Islamic militants attacked six different places in Paris - almost simultaneously - massacring 130 people and wounding nearly 500 more.

 

Sunday, the French President Francois Hollande visited all six venues - including multiple restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, the Stade de France just outside the city, and the Bataclan concert hall - to honor those who died, as well the victims who survived. According to the WSJ, Hollande did not speak at any of the ceremonies: “With less than eight months until the French presidential elections, Mr. Hollande did not speak at the ceremonies, respecting the wishes of victims who were concerned the commemorations could become politicized.”

 

Hollande, along with the Mayor of Paris Anne Hildalgo, did, however, unveil a memorial plaque at the stadium. The only person who spoke at the ceremony was the son of Manuel Dias, the first person killed in the attacks at the Stade de France by a suicide bomber.

 

During his speech, Dias said, “We must combat stigmatization and division. Integration is the answer.”

 

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[Valin]

Paris attacks: France state of emergency to be extended - PM Valls

Nov. 13 2016

 

France's state of emergency imposed after last year's terror attacks in Paris is likely to be extended, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has told the BBC. He said the measures were needed to protect democracy.

 

France is marking a year since militants from so-called Islamic State (IS) killed 130 people in gun and bomb attacks around the capital.

 

President Francois Hollande unveiled plaques for the victims, most of whom died at the Bataclan concert hall. Three gunmen entered the venue and fired on the crowd, killing 90 people.

 

On Saturday night, the hall reopened for the first time with a performance by British rock artist Sting.

 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAiwimKeUzQ