“The only security of all is in a free press” - Thomas Jefferson

On the morning of January 7th, two terrorists infiltrated the offices of a french satirical magazine and assassinated 11 people (including 8 staff, one maintenance person, one police officer assigned to protect the editor, and a visitor). These people were killed because the terrorists did not agree with what the magazine said.  Moments later, the gunmen went on to kill another police officer who was responding to the attack.

The assault on Paris continued for another two days while on they were on the run. Their accomplices killed a 25 year old police officer just south of the city and then took 6 hostages in a kosher grocery store on the eastern city-limit, four eventually killed.  In the end, this group killed 17 people and injured more.

The social response was almost immediate with "Je suis Charlie" (I am Charlie) popping up all over.  It was a way for people to connect and support those touched by the incident. For people to show that the terrorists will not win. They can attack, but people will continue to speak. Our lives will not change.

This attack hit the French in the core. Everyone, especially the French, at the office was distracted over the last few days. Not only was it happening in their city, in their neighborhoods, but these cartoonists were well known by many generations. This video gives some context from the french point of view.

The world connected because the terrorists attacked our fundamental values of liberty and freedom of speech.  I googled "Charlie Hebdo cartoons" and most of them I found crass and offensive.  I probably would not have bought one single issue, because it is not how I want to consume information. Nonetheless, I fully support their right to express their opinion.    And without a doubt, I will be buying their next issue when it comes out next Wednesday, January 14th as scheduled.

Website that might be of interest: Committee to Protect Journalists