City’s French residents rally to defend freedom of expression
A group of 200 French citizens took to the streets of Guadalajara in a march of solidarity following the attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris last week. The protestors carried French flags and colored pencils in honor of the cartoonists, as well as banners that read “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie). The march was organized by the Colegio Franco Mexicano de Guadalajara to denounce the Paris attacks that left 17 people dead. Besides being an act of terrorism, the violence was considered an aggression against the values of the French Revolution. “They attacked the founding values of our country, they attacked our freedom of expression,” said protestor Violene Dauvois.
“It is important to us to show solidarity with the families and the victims” said Dauvois, who added that she was afraid for the security of her family in Paris. “I think this may not be the last time something like this happens, so we can’t stay quiet.”
The Guadalajara march, which took place during the Sunday Via RecreActiva event, coincided with mass rallies of unity in Paris and other major European cities. The French community in Guadalajara also sent a letter of condolence to the families of the victims.
the lights, which gradually change colors. The project is part of the “Network of City Lights” scheme organized by City Hall. This project began with the illumination of the Metropolitan Cathedral in March 2013, and will extend to five other locations by February. Apart from the Cathedral and Chapultepec Avenue, the other sites to be illuminated are the Palacio Municipal, La Rotonda de los Jalisciences Illustres, la Biblioteca Iberoamericana, Plaza Universidad and the temples of San Agustin and Santa Maria de Gracia. The Chapultepec project costs 14.5 million pesos ($US 100,000) and is designed to promote local business and tourism.