Solidarity on the Costa del Sol to say: ‘Je suis Charlie’

PEOPLE all over the Costa del Sol held minute-long silences and gathered to show solidarity for the victims of last week’s attacks in Paris by Islamist terrorists.

In Malaga City, residents and journalists came together outside Alianza Francesa on Calle Beatas on the evening of the day of the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and also held a minute’s silence for the victims.

Juan Cassa, Malaga co-ordinator of Ciudadanos political party, said: “Freedom of expression and of people is a fundamental part of society and we will not allow it to be suppressed.”

The next day (Thursday January 8) more than 100 journalists, politicians – including city mayor Francisco de la Torre – members of Malaga society and individuals congregated in Plaza de la Constitucion in Malaga City in protest.

Silence filled the square, broken only by a loud round of applause in memory of the victims.

President of Malaga Press Association, Andres Garcia Maldonado, insisted that the barbaric attack was not just against journalists, but against public freedom.

He commented that although there was currently a high level of worry regarding fanaticism, intolerance should not be allowed to be used as a response. 

Maldonado stressed it was vital that nobody, regardless of race or religion, should suffer as a consequence of the Paris attacks.

Groups gathered both spontaneously and in organised demonstrations in many areas along the coast to express respect for the victims, including council workers who stood in silence outside Estepona Town Hall.

Meanwhile, the Muslim community of Malaga Province condemned   the attacks and a spokesman declared  that Jihadist radicals were not part of the Islamic faith. 

Javier Isla summed up the feelings of Muslims, stating that they considered the attackers’ views simply absurd as Islam demands forgiveness, and not revenge or violence.