Another week, another heartbreaking tragedy. My heart aches for France. There are no words to express the sadness that the entire world feels. Events like this have become a worldwide trend that must be addressed.
The terror attack happened earlier this week in Nice, France, while hundreds of French citizens gathered in the streets to enjoy fireworks and celebrate Bastille Day, France's equivalent to the United States' Independence Day. The attacker was identified by French Officials as Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a 31-year-old man. He drove a lorry through the busy streets, resulting in 84 deaths and a total of 303 people were hospitalized. As of right now, 121 remain in the hospital and 26 are still in intensive care. He is of Franco-Tunisian descent and a divorced father of three children, who is said to have affiliations with the Islamic State.
84 people killed. While celebrating their independence. All it took was one truck to end their lives. I am horrified. I am speechless.
In response to the attack, French President Francois Hollande has extended the country's state of emergency for another three months. The state of emergency was previously supposed to be called off at the end of July.
We mourn with the families of the victims and the good people of France in light of this tragedy. The global impact of this act of terror cannot be understated and it is the latest in a long line of attacks where the attackers pledged their allegiance to ISIS, including Orlando and Baghdad, this year. The United States must be stronger than ever and unite with France to determine the best course of action to counter these acts of terror. We must acknowledge that there is a problem of international terrorism and recognize that more effective measures are an absolute necessity.
"This is war," claimed Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, while appearing on Fox News' The O'Rielly Factor. Trump suggests we should use NATO to counter terrorism, and would ask Congress for a declaration of war. "It's out of control." he said. Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, also responded to the attacks in a statement:"This cowardly attack only strengthens our commitment to our alliance and to defeating terrorism around the world." She also acknowledged that we're at war, but called it a "different kind of war," and would focus on "an intelligence surge," according to CNN.
"I think back to our success in getting (Osama) bin Laden; it was important that we built the case, we got the information and the President ordered the raid." Clinton said.
Regardless of anyone's political affiliation (or lack thereof) it is clear that the threat of terrorism is real and reaching an all-time high; something must be done. This was a calculated, planned-out attack. They all have been, and will be. We cannot afford to do nothing. We must take a stand and be stronger against those who seek to harm us and/or our allies. We must stand with France.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke.