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Canadians march in solidarity with France

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Thousands of Canadians paid tribute to the 17 victims of terrorism in France by holding solidarity rallies and vigils from coast to coast to Sunday.

As many as 25,000 Montrealers braved the cold and, holding a variety of placards and flags, headed to the French consulate, where they observed a moment of silence and sang the French national anthem.

Premier Philippe Couillard was among them.

"What us Quebecers are saying today to the French is a message of solidarity in this time of tragedy<’ he said. "We're saying no to fanaticism, no to the inhuman violence we've seen in the last few days. Yes to liberty, yes to a democratic society and we affirm together that we will win against those who would attack a secular, democratic society."

Aurelie Le Tareau, a member Je Suis Charlie Montreal, who helped organize the march, expressed gratitude to all who attended to denounce last week's terrorist bloodshed.

"The mobilization in Quebec and Canada has been amazing," she said. "We got a lot of sympathy. It shows that the values that France stands for are shared here."

A vigil was held at night by the city's Jewish community at an area-synagogue.

Chants of "Je suis Charlie" rang out in Confederation Park in Ottawa Sunday as more than 500 people marched in a stirring demonstration.

"It's very impressive to see the support, it's been so important since Wednesday," said French ambassador Philippe Zeller, who was visibly moved by the legion of supporters who broke into an impromptu chorus of Le Marseillaise.

"There are so many links between our two peoples and our two countries. Not to forget that President Francois Hollande himself did a state visit to Ottawa a few days after the attacks of Oct. 22.

In Toronto, more than 500 people gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to condemn Islamist terrorist attacks, which included a deadly assault on the satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo.

“It's very important to gather from all the different communities to show we are not afraid," said rally organizer Florent Guerard

"We have to declare our determined support for freedom of expression and that means consistent support, not just today. It's dangerous to think there is no threat to our values," Mayor John Tory said.

F ederal Finance Minister Joe Oliver insisted it's important for the world to show solidarity.

"Freedom of expression is under attack and we must stand up to people who want to undermine our cherished values," Oliver said.

Gabriel Cowen grew up in Paris, blocks from where last week's bloodshed took place.

"Everyone has a duty to uphold freedom of speech. Violence has no place in our society and I'm very proud to be here today," Cowen said.

In Calgary, about 100 people gathered for a free speech rally at city hall.

For Sidney Ittah, a French Jew from Paris living in Calgary, free speech is close to his heart.

His family lived just two blocks from the Paris shooting and hostage-taking at a kosher deli.

"I was so scared because I thought my family could be stuck there and taken hostage," he said.

Hoisting both Canadian and French flags, Adam Osborne said Calgary stands with France as they heal.

"We're all in this together," he said. "We have to stand up in Calgary and let people know that we will not be afraid or cowed into giving up our inalienable rights to free speech.”

Those on hand were also lent their names to a document to send to the French consulate in Vancouver to show their support and share condolences after the tragedies in Paris.

-With files by Adam Kovac, Mark Villani, Aedan Helmer and Kevin Connor

 

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