ECCAR- we are all Charlie

Completely overwhelmed by the shocking events from 7th to 11th January 2015 in France, the ECCAR steering committee wishes strongly to share the pain and the sadness about this cruel and sudden attack. As a European citizen we will by now slowly take up our pencil, we point it in the air to show our solidarity with all victims to continue vigorously  while the new magazine of “Charlie Hebdo” is being published.

The attacks in France have touched our core values and fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of press, as well as the intercultural and inter-religious citizenship in Europe which these acts of violence wanted to threaten.

Charlie Hebdo was more than a journal, it was loved and respected for its critical and insolent caricatures full of free spirit, criticism and actual political and social occurements.

The fear that the terrorists aim to plant in our hearts, notably the fear of different cultures and religions should not put roots into our society. Transformed into positive energy throughout the spontaneous and cohesive assemblies of people out on the streets in French and European cities and worldwide let us believe in European citizenship and strong support in our civil societies, containing Islamic, Jewish, Protestant and Catholic religions.

It is now our duty to support the spirit of citizens that raise their voices in solidarity, deeply convinced of democratic values on the scale of our cities to not leave space where ideologies and hate-speech can spread.

The European Coalition of Cities against Racisms, in her dimension and with all engagements proclaimed, would like to take actively part. The cohesion of our member cities is a trump for exchange and the support of initiatives to strengthen democratic valors and fundamental rights.

We wish to share our compassion with our French member cities with whom we walk side by side to draw a Europe that is open and tolerant.

We are all Charlie!

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