On Sunday afternoon, a ceremony was held on Boston Common in honor of the victims of the deadly attacks on the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo.

People gathered at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common at 12 p.m. which, according to the Boston Globe, was scheduled at the same time as a citizen march in France.

The Chicago Tribune reports that “at least 3.7 million people took part around France in the unity against terrorism, more than the numbers who took to Paris streets when the Allies liberated the city from the Nazis in World War II.”

Sunday’s event in Boston was put on by the Consulate General of France to show their support for the victims and their families, and to exercise the right to freedom of speech.

“It will be a gathering in honor of the victims and to defend the freedom of speech and press,” said Maia Gabily, spokeswoman for the consulate, told the Globe.

On Friday, Jan. 9, authorities tracked the gunners, who killed 12 of Charlie Hebdo’s staff, to a supermarket where they killed four hostages. One suspect turned himself in, three were killed by police and a fifth is still on the run.

Post by Consulate General of France in Boston.
You can read more stories on Boston startups, technology and innovation at https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/inno