Je suis Charlie – The Concordian

This week’s tragedy at Charlie Hebdo reminds us of the importance of freedom of speech

When putting together our small, hyper-local, weekly publication, there are many things that we worry about. Often, we worry about being late for sending the paper to the printers. Other times, we fear getting an angry letter from someone unhappy with a story. We hope we haven’t missed any errors. And, once in a while, we fear getting a letter from a lawyer.

But there is one thing that we are never worried about, something which no journalist should ever have to fear.

The fear that someone will dislike what has been published to the point that they feel it is acceptable—no, necessary—to send journalists and publications letters filled with hate. The fear that these people will throw a Molotov cocktail into the publication’s office. The fear that armed people will enter the office and attempt to shoot and kill as many of its employees as they can.

Simpy because these journalists—these human beings—exercised their right to free speech.

On Jan. 7, two armed gunmen walked into the office of the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo. Ten employees and two police officers were shot dead. Their satirical drawings were known internationally for depicting touchy subjects with an irreverent pencil to paper, including comics ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad.

Since the tragedy, the whole world has come together to remember those who died last week, and to speak of the importance of freedom of speech. Those who took to the steets in protest, it is important to remember, supported many things more than just boundless free speech. You do not have to support what the editorial staff at Charlie Hebdo chose to print, but their right to do it should not be threatened under any circumstances.

Regardless of whether the public agrees with the satire produced or not, everyone deserves to live in a society where discourse on controversial issues is allowed, period.

In that sense, The Concordian is Charlie. We believe that innocent people should not be killed over drawings and words, that differences in opinion should be welcomed, and that freedom of speech is a human right that should be a given for everyone, everywhere.

Gunmen’s attack on French magazine’s bureau makes 12 victims, 10 injured

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, three armed attackers entered satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo’s office located in Paris and opened fire on the employees, killing 10 and wounding over 10 others. Two policemen were also casualties of the shootout.

Thousands of people braved the cold and gathered in front of Montreal’s French Consulate situated on McGill College Ave. on Wednesday night in solidarity with the 12 victims of the attack.

Another vigil was organized by Montreal City Hall in which Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre participated. A great number of these spontaneously organized gatherings took place around the world.

The movement adopted the iconic phrase “Je suis Charlie” in support to the victims of the attack.

Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine known notably for its 2006 caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, but also for its overall tendency to stir up controversy. A Molotov cocktail attack burned down the publication’s office in 2011. Charlie Hebdo was the target of numerous threats in relation to their controversial cartoons. Three well-respected cartoonists, Charb, Cabu and Wolinsky, were of the 12 victims.

An 18 year-old alleged accomplice delivered himself to the authorities. French police is still looking for the two other suspects, two Parisian brothers.