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In a nation that values the power of protest, the Place de la Republique, in the heart of Paris, is a traditional center for unleashing your emotions.
There are demonstrations here every weekend. When I came to Paris for a large anti-government protest last year, the place ended up engulfed in tear gas, its paving stones broken to be thrown at the police.
But here on Sunday, the protests were of a very different order. Fueled by outrage at the horrible and savage murder of Samuel PatyThey were a very public display of unity.
A woman holds a banner that reads: ‘I am a teacher. I’m thinking of you, Samuel ‘
Thousands gathered in the square. Similar protests took place in cities across France, from Lille to Marseille, all peppered with banners reading “Je suis Samuel” or “Je suis Prof”, related to the murdered teacher.
But although the applause rang out repeatedly, these events were not simply to show Mr. Paty respect.
These demonstrations were a complex mix of themes: anger at the assassination, spliced with resentment that the government, in the minds of some we spoke to, failed to understand the challenge of Islamist terrorism.
For some, this was a protest in defense of freedom of expression, while others saw it as a show of force against racism.
And then there were those who came with banners adorned with the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, the same cartoons that Mr. Paty showed his class a fortnight ago, seemingly beginning the series of events that ended in his savage death.
A woman drew red tear stains on her cheeks
Here were the flags of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. This was a diverse crowd of people, just like Paris is a multicultural city, but the question now is about the fundamental principle of French identity.
During the last 48 hours, more than one official has said that the republic is under attack.
France is a country extremely proud of its secular government and the right to freedom of expression. “We are not afraid and we will not be divided,” Prime Minister Jean Castex said.
Brave and direct words, but the truth is that there are many in France who, at least, are nervous that this brutal murder does not mark the end of Islamist terrorism, but the latest chapter in an ongoing saga.
