Republican march was held in Paris

More than a million people took part in the republican march in Paris against terror, in defense of freedoms, reports Le Monde. The city hall called the number of those gathered "unprecedented" and find it difficult to give an accurate assessment.

President Francois Holland, ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, mayor of Paris Ann Idalgo, leaders and official representatives of more than 50 states took part in the march. Among them is the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Ministers Matteo Renzi, Spain Mariano Rahoy, Great Britain David Cameron, Israel Benjamin Netanyag, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, President of the European Council Donald Tusk, European Commission Chairman Jean-Claude Junker, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

In the modern history of France, this is the second demonstration in which the president participates. 25 years ago, Francois Mitteran passed a march against racism and xenophobia after the graves in the Jewish cemetery in the city of Carpantras were desecrated.

In front of the column of state leaders were the families of the dead, surviving journalists of Charlie Hebdo and hostages from the Kosher products store. They were met with applause. However, the event itself was silent.

The audience held the JE Suis Charlie posters, as well as pencils and felt -tip pens - the tools of labor of the dead caricaturists. A huge cardboard pencil with the inscription "Not Afraid" was handed over in the hands above the crowd. There were many flags of both France and other states.

Participants in the action began to gather on the Square of the Republic in the morning. The pedestal of the statue of the republic rising in the center of the area was pasted with posters. By the middle of the day, the square and adjacent streets were filled. The action itself began at about 15:30 (17:30 Moscow time) and lasted almost two hours. After that, officials left the march. The participants began to disperse, but there were still a lot of people on the streets.

Extraordinary security measures were taken in Paris. More than 5 thousand police officers guarded the order. Driven and helicopters were involved. The action took place without incidents.

At the same time, the manifestations took place in other cities of France. According to estimates, two million people participated in a total of a total.

Solidarity shares have been held in other countries. In Moscow, a group, led by France Ambassador Jean-Moris Riper, went through Gorky Park. People also gathered at the French Embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg.

On the eve of France , numerous demonstrations were held in support of freedom of speech and in memory of the victims of Islamist terrorists. The total number of their participants is estimated at 700 thousand people. At least 30 thousand people took to the streets in the city of software. At least 25 thousand people gathered in Bezanson and Amiene, in Orleans - 22 thousand, in Lille - 40 thousand, in Marseille - 45 thousand. The largest manifestations took place in Toulouse, where the number of those gathered exceeded 100 thousand people. Demonstrations took place in small cities.