Paris: March against terrorism draws over 3.5 million

Some are claiming that ” the largest gathering” in the history of France occurred as 3.7 million people rallied in Paris as a sign of unity to denounce the terrorist attack which left several dead.

French President François Hollande is preparing to chair a meeting with his ministers to discuss national security.

56 world leaders attended the march along with citizens of all nationalities and religions. The leaders included the British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, King Abdullah of Jordan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Benjamin Netanyahu, together with the leaders of Spain, Italy, the European Union, Turkey and Tunisia.

Jane Hartley, US Ambassador to France, represented the United States. However, the heads of state of the Arab nations were notably absent, with the king of Morocco announcing that he “could not take part” because Muhammad cartoons were being displayed.

Millions marching in Paris against terrorism photo/screenshot Telegraph video coverage

“I felt it was important to come,” says Naima Zouali, a Moroccan of 60 who lives in London. Marching with a sign saying “Je suis Marocaine, Je suis Charlie”, she adds: “For me, these people do not represent Islam.”

700 thousand other people took part in similar demonstrations in several French cities, including Toulouse, Lyon, Rennes, Nice and Marseille.

The Paris march started from Place de la Republique and ended at Place de la Nation, a few meters from the kosher supermarket where one of the attacks took place on January 9. The attacks began January 7, when the Kouachi brothers raided the editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people, including eight journalists and two policemen.