9/11 Memorial Tribute Honors Victims of Paris Attacks

9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels speaks to a crowd on the Memorial plaza during a tribute for the victims of the Paris, France, terrorist attacks. He is flanked by Consul General of France in New York Bertrand Lortholary, representative of France to the United Nations Francois Delattre and 9/11 Memorial board member and former U.S. ambassador to France Joe Daniels.
9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels speaks to a crowd on the 9/11 Memorial during a tribute for the victims of the Paris, France terrorist attacks. (L-R) Bertrand Lortholary, Consul General of France in New York, François Delattre, Representative of France to the United Nations, Joe Daniels, 9/11 Memorial President, and Craig Stapleton, a 9/11 Memorial board member and former US ambassador to France.

A tribute in honor of the 129 people who were killed and more than 350 others injured in the terrorist attacks in Paris, France was held on the 9/11 Memorial on Monday.

"The National September 11 Memorial and Museum stands in solidarity with France, just as the French people stood united with us in support of our city and country when we needed it," said 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels. "In darkness we shine brightest, and together we will find strength and healing."  

Daniels was joined by Bertrand Lortholary, Consul General of France in New York, François Delattre, Representative of France to the United Nations, and Craig Stapleton, a 9/11 Memorial board member and former US ambassador to France, to address a crowd of hundreds gathered around the Survivor Tree.  

"By standing at this site, we demonstrate that it’s possible to overcome that anguish through the support of our city, our country, and our allies," said Stapleton. "Like this Survivor Tree, the people of France will thrive once more."

Tribute Photo Gallery

"France is united with itself and united with its friends and its allies," said Lortholary. "We know that the same solidarity is in the hearts, minds and souls in every New Yorker and for that we will never forget."

Following a moment of silence, the French National Anthem was played as members of the 9/11 Memorial staff laid flowers and tributes at the Survivor Tree. (Photos)

On Friday, Nov. 13, around 9 p.m. local time, terrorists carried out a mass shooting at a rock concert in the center of Paris, and executed suicide bombings and shootings in five other locations, including a soccer stadium. Authorities are continuing to search for any accomplices in Friday’s attacks, conducting more than 150 raids across the country Sunday night.

French President François Hollande called the attacks an "act of war," blaming the Islamic State. In response, France has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.

According to the NY Times, this is the worst terrorist attack in Europe in 11 years, since the 2004 attacks on commuter trains in Madrid that killed 191 people and injured 1,800.

By Hannah Coffman, Digital Content Manager

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