"Je suis, Charlie" 3.7 Million Unify and March

I woke this morning knowing I wished to blog about the march taking place in France this past weekend--over 3.7 million people turned out to protest the terrorist attacks taking place in France over the last week: at a magazine office, a Kosher grocery store, and the assassination of a police officer. If you wish to see the details here's a link.

I felt tremendous hope when watching this event unfold and here's why:

• 3.7 million people turned out to protests terrorism. That's more people than took the streets after the liberation following World World II, setting a record in French history!
• 56 world leaders were in attendance and walked with the people, including world leaders from Jordan, Israel, Turkey and Tunisia, countries literally submersed in daily terrorist acts of violence. 
• French Muslim leaders harshly condemned the killers and asked Muslims to turn out "massively" for the rallies. I don't know the count. 

"Charb," the chief editor for French magazine Charlie Hebdo and among the slain, was quoted as saying, "I would rather die standing than live on my knees." The people of France seem to have taken his words to heart as they protest his death and that of fellow journalists after posting satirical cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The tragedy brings to light the value of free speech and freedom of expression. These values were North Stars for the journalists and editors of Charlie Hebdo. I will await the following days and watch events unfold as a result of the peaceful, unifying march of over 3.7 million strong.