Thousands of people attended a vigil outside the French consulate general in Montreal Saturday afternoon to pay tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.
A large crowd, including Mayor Denis Coderre, was on hand at the consulate Friday night for a spontaneous vigil to show support for the people of Paris and France. Saturday's ceremony was planned so more people could attend.
"When I was in high school, we went on a trip to Paris. As soon as the people there heard we were Quebecers, they made us feel so welcome. With everything that happened yesterday, I felt I needed to pay tribute to the victims," said attendee Sebastien Bouffard.
At least 129 people have died and 352 people were injured during a series of co-ordinated terror attacks targeting a concert hall, restaurant and soccer game, among other locations.
French President François Hollande called the violence "an act of war that was prepared, organized, planned from abroad with internal help" and vowed France will wage "merciless" war on the Islamic State group after the jihadists claimed responsibility for the attacks Friday night.
“The French you know, we're not afraid. they have hurt us, yes, but ... we fight back,” said Parisian Jean-Paul Mari, who lives in Montreal.
Those who attended Saturday's vigil sang La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, and observed a moment of silence. They scrawled messages of support on the sidewalk in chalk, and left flowers and candles in honour of the dead and injured.
PQ MNAs Bernard Drainville and Martine Ouellet were in attendance, as well as Montreal executive committee member and Villeray-St. Michel-Park Extension borough mayor Anie Samson.
Another vigil took place at the same time at the French consulate in Quebec City. Premier Philippe Couillard, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume were among the politicians in attendance.
A memorial march is planned for Sunday at 10 a.m., beginning at the Quartier des Spectacles and ending at the French consulate.
-- with files from The Associated Press
