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MARIGOT--The brutal massacre of journalists and cartoonists at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday has generated an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity amongst the public in French St. Martin.
Such is the power of social media that organisers of a vigil held at Marina Fort Louis at 6:00pm Thursday managed to gather around 400 persons in record time to pay homage to the victims.
Echomag Editor Laurent Fuentes was one of three organisers behind the spontaneous event. The majority of persons attending the vigil wore black, many carried candles and placards with the now familiar slogan "Je Suis Charlie" which also was printed on T-shirts. Others carried pens symbolising the power of free speech.
In what probably had been prepared in advance, the large crowd on the jetty was organised into forming the letters of "Je Suis Charlie" while a drone overhead took photographs.
A minute's silence then followed.
Fuentes stated he was delighted with the turnout at such short notice.
"This tragedy will not endanger free speech and democracy. Universally we have to remain defiant. ... No, I don't think anything will change," he said responding to a question of whether the media should be more wary of causing offence. "Journalists know the risks and the sad fact is we do lose a few journalists every year."
Many prominent members of the French-side business community attended as well as elected officials. Seen showing their support were First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell, MP Daniel Gibbs, Territorial Councillor Jean-David Richardson and others.
"St. Martin is part of the world and we cannot disassociate ourselves when such tragic incidents occur," said Arnell. "That's why this morning the Collectivité observed an official minute's silence to show that we are in solidarity and harmony with the nation. We always talk about the multitude of nationalities on our island and what's to stop such an incident taking place here?
"I think it's an excellent initiative that has been organised and the number of people present is an indication of how profoundly that tragedy touched us. Journalists report the news and it can be done in different ways, in a serious or light-hearted manner. Whatever way it is done, that does not justify the type of violence we have seen."
Despite few St. Martiners in the crowd, Arnell said he believed the entire population had been affected by the tragedy even if they were not familiar with Charlie Hebdo.
Chamber of Commerce President Jean Arnell said he was grateful the business community had observed the minute's silence earlier in the day and supported the evening event.
"We need to condemn hate in all its forms," he said. "The events in Paris are indicative of the rampant hate in our society."
Elected officials and staff had gathered in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité earlier, at midday, to observe the national day of mourning and the minute's silence in memory of the slain victims.
Twelve candles were placed in front of the war memorial and were lit in turn by President Aline Hanson, MP Daniel Gibbs, Senator of St. Martin Guillaume Arnell, Third Vice-President Wendel Cocks, Territorial Councillor for Culture Rollande Questel, Territorial Councillor Louis Fleming, Opposition Councillor Dominique Aubert, Director of Human Resources Vernon Roper, Police Chief Albert Conner and three other persons.
Six red roses and six white also were placed at the foot of the war memorial representing the 12 victims.
President of the Republic François Hollande ordered flags to be flown at half mast for three days. On Thursday only the Préfecture had lowered its flag while flags on the Marigot waterfront and atop Fort Louis had not yet been lowered.
