I was in second grade when September 11, 2001 took place. I will never forget where I was and what I was doing when I first found out what happened. I never thought I'd feel that way again. And then last Friday happened...
On November 13, 2015, Paris experienced her own 9/11. It all began at 9:20 p.m., when the first suicide bomber detonated his vest on the Rue Rimet, near the Stade de France. One civilian was killed. It was shortly followed by another attack from a black car by Carillon and Le Petit Cambodge (located by the Rue Alibert and Rue Bichat). This resulted in the death of 15, and the critical condition of 10, according to WSJ. The following attacks occurred in quick succession from 9:30 p.m.onwards. The Stade de France was hit again, while gunmen shot at La Bonne Bière bar, killing five and leaving eight injured. 19 people were killed at La Belle Equipe bar (Rue de Charonne), and another suicide bomber hit the Comptoir Voltaire cafe (Boulevard Voltaire).
It was not until 9:40 p.m. that the world really got ahold of what was happening, as three gunmen entered the Bataclan theatre. What happened during this time inside the theatre to the time of 12:20 a.m. when the police attempted to free the hostages, one can only imagine.
This was followed by another suicide bomber who target the Stade de France.
News organizations were reporting conflicting numbers. Some ran with the headline that all the assailants had been neutralized, while others carried headlines of many still being at large and on foot in Paris.
Of all targets hits, the Bataclan concert hall held the most casualties, with an estimated 89 killed. The total casualty count is still yet to be determined. As of most recently, it is at 129. (Independent, BBC and NBC News)
Salah Abdeslam and Abdelhamid Abaaoud are both strong persons of interest in this attack, and are actively being pursued and hunted.
"Faced with terror, this is a nation that knows how to defend itself, how to mobilize its forces and once again, knows how to overcome the terrorists," said François Hollande.
Hollande declared a state of emergency shortly after the attacks were reported. It is still in effect and Hollande is set "to extend the state of emergency in France " with additional amendments in the wake of this terror attack.
As events have continued to outfold throughout that night and into the following days, world leaders reached out and expressed their condolences through various means (including social media as well as offical statements).
(Screenshot taken from CNN.com)
Observing the first-hand buzz that surrounded that night on the Internet and social media, it was a firestorm of chaos, confusion and solidarity. The attacks, being still very recent, have sparked a number of ethical and political actions. Most notably, the deliberation over the admittance of Syrian refugees into the United States. For many who have just recently migrated, these attacks have only added to the friction between neighbors. Another notable outcome, has been the trend to "pray for Paris." However, it has been pointed out that this religiously driven rhetoric is exactly the opposite of what needs to be said. Religion has no place in the aftermath of attacks that have no support of any religious doctrine (despite what its perpetrators would like us to think).
As of today, seven suspects have been arrested, and two have been killed (including a woman who blew herself up).
As this story continues to develop, so too, will follow up articles.
If you have a personal connection to those in Paris, or other parts of the world affected by ISIS, please feel free to reach out.
As a personal side note, I would just like to say, I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to all people who have died and who continue to live in countries and areas feeling the wrath of the barbarous group, known as ISIS. As a journalist, a student, but foremost a human being, I wish nothing but peace for you all, and the termination of this "street gang on steroids."
