Paris, France (Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at 10 a.m. PST)—Simultaneous raids on two separate locations were carried out by French security forces today where the Charlie Hebdo gunmen of Wednesday and accomplices were holding hostages.

The original two suspected gunmen, brothers, were killed in the rush by security forces in a village north of Paris at a printing business. It is reported that another gunman was killed in a kosher supermarket in an eastern location of metropolitan Paris. Three hostages were found dead there. Authorities first said there were about five hostages at the market. They later said there were more. Hostages fled the building as police entered. It is believed the three hostages had been killed by the gunmen’s accomplices. Early reports indicated the accomplice seized hostages to try to negotiate for the release of the Charlie Hebdo gunmen.

Paris, France (Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 at 6 a.m. PST)—Media organizations around the world have rallied to support the publication of a million copies of the next issue of the Charlie Hebdo magazine, which is slated to come out next week. The goal is to emphasize that violence cannot suppress freedom of expression.

Demonstrations occurred throughout Europe and in the U.S. last night—many under banners saying “Nous sommes Charlie,”  in defiance of the killings. French media is saying “This is our 9/11.”

Pine Mountain Club, CA (Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.)—Robert DeLoach of Pine Mountain sends this note following the assassination of 12 French citizens at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in Paris: “I’m horrified, as I’m sure you are, by the attack on the press in Paris.  Such a sad day.  Je suis Charlie!.”

Washington, D.C. (Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 at 11 a.m.)— The Mountain Communities’ U.S. Representative, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, released this statement regarding the killing of 12 people at a French satirical magazine based in Paris by terrorists seeking to suppress freedom of speech.

“I condemn today’s horrific terrorist attack in Paris. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the French people. This terrorist attack, like so many before it, is an assault on fundamental democratic principles that are essential to a free society.  It is also a reminder that the war on terrorism is not over, that radical Islamic terrorist organizations have not been defeated, and that they continue to pose a threat at home and abroad.

“Whether it is ISIL in Iraq and Syria, the Taliban, Haqqani network and al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ansar al Sharia and other terrorists in Libya, Boko Haram in Nigeria, or al Qaeda affiliated groups in Yemen, Somalia, and Mali, free and moderate societies face a growing and determined terrorist enemy.

“We ignore this gathering danger at our peril. We must recommit to our common efforts against these violent enemies and stand with our friends around the world. For their sake and for our own, we must prevail in this fight against violent extremism.”

Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader

This is part of the January 9, 2015 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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