Dozens gather for Philadelphia vigil for Paris victims
PHILADELPHIA – Dozens gathered at a candlelight vigil at Philadelphia’s LOVE park and joined in singing France’s national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” to honor those killed in the attacks in Paris.
A blue, white and red French flag waved beneath the LOVE sculpture, and below that were candles arranged in a circle of peace around an outline of the Eiffel Tower.
The observance Saturday night was organized by the Consulate General of France in Philadelphia as well as French cultural and civic groups.
The consulate says about 5,000 French nationals live in the region.
Many people expressed shock at the ferocity of the attacks, but no one said France should turn immigrants away.
Twenty-five-year-old Guillaume Gerargi said “There’s immigration everywhere. It’s an ideology that’s gripping people.”