More than 1,000 people gathered in Washington Square Park earlier today, for a vigil mourning the victims of Friday’s Paris attacks.
Groups waved flags and sang La Marseillaise, the French national anthem as signs of solidarity.
Mayor Bill de Blasioarrived around 2 p.m., and spoke to the crowd. “New York City is proud to stand with France and share their clear message. These cruel attempts to intimidate and threaten the people of Paris will not succeed.”
Some within the crowd silently wept, during the mayor’s speech.
“When I heard what happened I immediately thought of my friends,” Lucie Maneval, a French national studying at New York University said. “My heart hurts because I just keep thinking that I should be there. I should be in this moment with my people.”
When asked about the world’s response to this tragedy, she replied, “It makes me feel good [seeing] how everyone is supporting
France. The lights, the flags, show that during tough times, the world will come together.”
As the evening grew darker, and temperatures dropped, people continued to assemble in the park.
Many held handwritten drawin
gs of the Eiffel Tower and signs containing the popular hashtag #PrayForParis.
Kelsey Falter, CEO of Poptip, a social marketing/polling company, created an art piece allow
ing people to insert flowers in honor of the lives lost. The piece was called “Jetre Human.”
“A lot of people died yesterday,” Lizette Jonsson, a student from Switzerland said in response to the piece. “Not only in Paris but all around the world. All these people died in acts terrorism.”
The acts she was referring to took place in Beirut, Iraq, and Syria. All which took place in the span of two days.
“It doesn’t even matter where it’s happening anymore. If people are dying, everyone needs to come together,” she added.
The night ended with the placement of a French flag on the Washington Square arch.
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