As more than 100 members or supporters of the French community gather near the French Consulate in Seattle, tea lights were lit and pens and pencils were placed on a French flag on the ground, surrounded by candles. Many of those gathered held French flags or signs proclaiming “Je suis Charlie” in addition to candles as those in attendance stood in solidarity with citizens in France. A significant number of local media outlets had TV crews on scene.
From the Facebook event page…
“Pour tous ceux choqués par ce qui s’est passé et qui veulent montrer leur soutien, nous facilitons l’organisation de cette vigile.
VENEZ AVEC VOS:
– PANNEAUX/AFFICHES “I AM CHARLIE”,
– BOUGIES (il fera nuit!).
– STYLOS/CRAYONS
– mais aussi pourquoi pas drapeaux (moins important)
Afin d’éviter tout problème de “right of way”, merci de se retrouver en face du consulat (donc en dehors du trottoir et de la rue) sur le parvis du Clipper.
(ps: le city hall et la police sont prévenus).
ENGLISH:
If you are appalled, shocked, sad… about what happen to the journalists and cartoonist of the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo” , join the French community tonight at 7pm for mourning and defense of the freedom of the press.
Help us show that freedom of the press, and rejection of violence knows no boundaries, whether you are French, American or from anywhere, whether you Atheist, Christian, Muslim or anything else.” – Rassemblement “I am Charlie” en hommage et soutien à Charlie Hebdo
The Dignity Virus 
“ENGLISH:
If you are appalled, shocked, sad… about what happen to the journalists and cartoonist of the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo” , join the French community tonight at 7pm for mourning and defense of the freedom of the press.
Help us show that freedom of the press, and rejection of violence knows no boundaries, whether you are French, American or from anywhere, whether you Atheist, Christian, Muslim or anything else.” – Rassemblement “I am Charlie” en hommage et soutien à Charlie Hebdo”
Defending a blatantly racist magazine under the guise of freedom of the press only serves as a mockery of that freedom. Instead of the freedom to denounce and speak out against the rulers of society and against oppression–it is perverted to justify the propaganda against the marginalized and oppressed.
The paper and the cartoonists themselves were a part of an ultra nationalist, racist, propaganda campaign that was aimed at France’s Arab and Muslim population. This served to provide political cover for anti working class austerity measures, and it further divided the French working class.
The terrorists themselves I speculate were manipulated by the usual islamic terror pimps (a section of clerics, imams, scholars, televangelists, warlords) to shore up their credibility as champions of the Muslim communities. In return for these attacks, they get more donations to their charity rackets and more recruits. Like the bourgeoisie, the terror pimps, prefer the French working class stay divided along religious, and ethnic lines; because, the unity of the class would weaken their influence. The terror pimps care for the muslim community on a very superficial level–as it will be normal working class muslims in France who will be scapegoated and punished. Both the bourgeoisie and the terror pimps promote the ‘clash of civilizations’ world view.
If the greater French working class wants to hit the terror pimps where it hurts, they must reach out to and support the French minorities against the racist policies and propaganda. They must take up their struggles for greater rights and dignity in french society. They must draw a distinction between the useful idiots of the terror pimps and the greater Muslim community.
Defending this racist, propaganda only serves the bourgeoisie, and the terror pimps. What’s next? Candle-light vigils for neo-nazis?
Beautiful pictures Alex. You really capture the emotional moment it was.