The "Je Suis Charlie" crowd at the Newseum. Photographs by Ryan Weisser.
Wednesday night, at 7, Pascale Sigal stood outside of the Newseum with her two children, Leah and Jeremy, holding signs that read: “Je Suis Charlie.” Sigal, a French native who has been living in McLean for nearly a decade, was rattled by the events on January 7, where a satirical magazine was attacked and 12 people were killed. She wasn’t angered or heartbroken the same way others around her were.
The attacks on Charlie Hebdo were personal—Sigal knew Bernard Maris, one of the victims.
Maris, 68, was a columnist for Charlie Hebdo. He was also a beloved economics professor, who taught Sigal in Toulouse, France. Nearly a hundred French natives, students, activists, and area residents shouted his name into the crowd Wednesday night, along with the names of the massacre’s 11 other victims. “Nous sommes Charlie! We are Charlie!” people called in response.
“The attack was despicable,” said Sigal. “We’re not going to stop supporting freedom.”
“I’m here for my mom,” said Leah Sigal, middle. Pascale Sigal, right, and son Jeremy, left.
Chloée Ponchelet, who works for the Fund for Global Human Rights, was another French native among the crowd. She found the world’s support for France uplifting, but she worried that it could lead to discrimination against Muslims.
“It’s happened before, and I fear it may happen again,” Ponchelet said. “All I hope is that the anger against this senseless act doesn’t lead to stupidity and intolerance of an entire group of people.”
Chloée Ponchelet was helping other human rights groups pass out “Je Suis Charlie” signs.
French citizen Hugues Marsae also wanted to promote tolerance and unity.
“We’re all in this together,” Marsae said. “They’re attacking our freedom, our values. We need to keep away from stereotypes and assumptions, and remain united.”
Teymour Abdelaziz, left, and Lorenzo Nelli, right, promoting tolerance and freedom of expression.
“I made this today at work when I found out about the protest,” said James Earle, a DC resident who braved the cold to promote freedom of speech and freedom of the press at the Newseum.
“Let’s show them that all democratic nations can unite,” Marsae said. “We may not agree always agree on matters, but in the end, we all share the same values. We cannot abandon our values because of anger. We cannot go backward.”
As Washingtonian’s UX designer, Ryan works with Washingtonian’s editorial and digital teams to design digital products that address reader’s needs online. Her background in interactive journalism and web production influence design strategies that ensure users have the best possible experience–on any platform.
Ryan enjoys running, trying new restaurants in DC, and Instagramming her favorite places around DC. You can follow her on Instagram (@ryan_weisser) and on Twitter (@Ryan_Weisser).
"Nous Sommes Charlie!": French Washingtonians Remember Charlie Hebdo Victims
At least one person at the Newseum Wednesday had a personal connection to the tragedy.
Wednesday night, at 7, Pascale Sigal stood outside of the Newseum with her two children, Leah and Jeremy, holding signs that read: “Je Suis Charlie.” Sigal, a French native who has been living in McLean for nearly a decade, was rattled by the events on January 7, where a satirical magazine was attacked and 12 people were killed. She wasn’t angered or heartbroken the same way others around her were.
The attacks on Charlie Hebdo were personal—Sigal knew Bernard Maris, one of the victims.
Maris, 68, was a columnist for Charlie Hebdo. He was also a beloved economics professor, who taught Sigal in Toulouse, France. Nearly a hundred French natives, students, activists, and area residents shouted his name into the crowd Wednesday night, along with the names of the massacre’s 11 other victims. “Nous sommes Charlie! We are Charlie!” people called in response.
“The attack was despicable,” said Sigal. “We’re not going to stop supporting freedom.”
Chloée Ponchelet, who works for the Fund for Global Human Rights, was another French native among the crowd. She found the world’s support for France uplifting, but she worried that it could lead to discrimination against Muslims.
“It’s happened before, and I fear it may happen again,” Ponchelet said. “All I hope is that the anger against this senseless act doesn’t lead to stupidity and intolerance of an entire group of people.”
French citizen Hugues Marsae also wanted to promote tolerance and unity.
“We’re all in this together,” Marsae said. “They’re attacking our freedom, our values. We need to keep away from stereotypes and assumptions, and remain united.”
“Let’s show them that all democratic nations can unite,” Marsae said. “We may not agree always agree on matters, but in the end, we all share the same values. We cannot abandon our values because of anger. We cannot go backward.”
As Washingtonian’s UX designer, Ryan works with Washingtonian’s editorial and digital teams to design digital products that address reader’s needs online. Her background in interactive journalism and web production influence design strategies that ensure users have the best possible experience–on any platform.
Ryan enjoys running, trying new restaurants in DC, and Instagramming her favorite places around DC. You can follow her on Instagram (@ryan_weisser) and on Twitter (@Ryan_Weisser).
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.