#JeSuisCharlie: Exeter students show solidarity with victims of Paris attacks

Exeter students holding 'Je Suis Charlie' signs have gathered to show solidarity with the victims of the Paris attacks. Dozens of people met at the University of Exeter's Streatham Campus on Saturday following three days of terror in France.

Proud to have been part of a #JeSuisCharlie demo held at @UniofExeterpic.twitter.com/NXoIM4UoOQ

— Flora Carr (@floracarr_) January 10, 2015

Seventeen people were killed in attacks on a satirical magazine, police officers and a kosher supermarket. The Exeter event was organised by French student Clémence Zdziech, who began by speaking about the attacks. Her speech, which was read in French, spoke of "giving the middle finger" to extremists, saying they would continue to fight for democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The names of the victims were then read out to the crowd before a minute's silence was held. Led by the many French students in attendance, the crowd then began a rendition of the French national anthem La Marseillaise.

#JeSuisCharlie at @UniofExeterpic.twitter.com/6z3ipjtwbX

— Exeter VP Welfare (@ExeWelfare) January 10, 2015

Speaking to Baraa, a Masters IT student from Syria told the crowd: "There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world and they shouldn't be judged by these terrible events. "There is a difference between our religion and extremists- we are never taught to do this. I am deeply saddened by these events, they were horrific acts of cruelty. "I wanted to stand up and speak out against them." Belgium student Edouard De Becker Remy, who helped run the event, told the Exeter Tab: "I'm very pleased to see so many French students, as I would expect, as well as the wider community of Exeter here." "With #CharlieHebdo, it's not just about the victims from Wednesday, but rather it's a marking point of where the attacks began. "This movement has to be a sign of strength and unity. We're all together to show that we aren't scared, and so I think it's important that we all gather to show that we're touched by it."

.@UniofExeter@UofE_Forum@ExeterGuild#JeSuisCharlie#solidaritypic.twitter.com/GxYuBeoFZA

— The Forum (@UofE_Forum) January 10, 2015