At Least 12 Die In Shooting At Magazine's Paris Office

At Least 12 Die In Shooting At Magazine's Paris Office

     This article is about the recent shooting at the headquarters of the Charlie Hebdo Weekly magazine. The article states that at least 12 people were killed at the shooting including 2 police officers and 8 journalists. Police suspect Said and Cherif Kouachi who are brothers and Hamyd Mourad. According to the article, many people in France gathered on the streets on Wednesday, January the 15^th  holding up signs reading "Je Suis Charlie" - I Am Charlie -as a show of respect toward those slain and defiance toward the attackers. Similar gatherings also happened in Germany, Great Britain, and USA. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said that, "at least two” gunmen entered the offices of the magazine at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Paris time. He also reports that the men first shot and killed a police officer stationed at the magazine, then walked up to the second floor newsroom and opened fire. 4 of the magazine's founding cartoonists were killed in the attack and 11 other people were injured. The end of the article states that French President Francois Hollande said that, “Charlie Hebdo represented a message of freedom.” He also says that “France would keep defending that message on their behalf."   

     I believe that this article is very important and that everyone should be aware of this issue. The shooting has affected many people including the victims families, friends, and just the overall population of France. Many people are now scared of going outside as there are still threats to the Country. I can connect this incident to our Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it goes against the Fundamental Freedoms of thought, the press, and expression. According to the Charter, everyone has the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication. The magazine did nothing wrong because it was not inflicting harm to any race or ethnic group. It is very important for people to be aware of this issue because it can also affect us. The deaths in France prove that terrorism groups are not afraid to inflict harm and that they will fight for what they think is right. This can impact everyone in Canada as well as the whole world. For example, just recently, a Charlie Hebdo related attack was intercepted and stopped by the police in Belgium.