DENMARK-SHOOTING/PARIS MAYOR Paris mayor says similarities between Copenhagen and Paris attacks
Record ID:
324474
DENMARK-SHOOTING/PARIS MAYOR Paris mayor says similarities between Copenhagen and Paris attacks
- Title: DENMARK-SHOOTING/PARIS MAYOR Paris mayor says similarities between Copenhagen and Paris attacks
- Date: 16th February 2015
- Summary: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (FEBRUARY 16, 2015) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS WITH PARIS MAYOR ANNE HIDALGO AND FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO DENMARK, FRANCOIS ZIMERAY JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS MAYOR ANNE HIDALGO SAYING: "We have come to show our solidarity and say that there are many similarities between what happened in Paris and what happened in Copenhagen. The similarities are first, harming… trying to harm the freedom of expression. In Paris Charlie Hebdo was targeted and here in Copenhagen a conference was targeted, at which the French ambassador attended." AUDIENCE LISTENING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO DENMARK FRANCOIS ZIMERAY SAYING: "Ok, I feel ok. I think that now the most important is to show solidarity of the French people with the Danish people. And it's not by chance that we are all targeted, because we both are the symbols of this freedom of expression and these values. And this way of life as well that we have in common. And I think that one of the most important things is to preserve what is at the very heart of our civilization, it's this society based on trust and this is very Danish, in fact." NEWS CONFERENCE FILMED FROM BEHIND THE CURTAINS
- Embargoed: 3rd March 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Denmark
- Country: Denmark
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAA1VJVD382KLDD5DWCG8NUF38O
- Story Text: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo visited Copenhagen on Monday (February 16) to convey Paris' support for the Danish people.
A 22-year-old gunman opened fire on a cafe in Copenhagen hosting a free speech debate on Saturday (February 14), killing one, and attacked a synagogue, killing a guard in actions possibly inspired by an attack on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
The man was later shot dead by police in his neighbourhood of Norrebro, a poor and largely immigrant part of the city.
The cafe event - entitled "Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression" - was attended by Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who has received death threats for drawings of the Prophet Mohammad, and by French ambassador Francois Zimeray. Vilks and Zimeray were both unharmed.
At a news conference, Hidalgo said there were similarities between the attacks in Denmark and in Paris.
Danish police have said the gunman appeared to have been inspired by the radical Islamist attack in Paris last month that killed 17 at the Charlie Hebdo weekly and a Jewish grocery store
"We have come to show our solidarity and say that there are many similarities between what happened in Paris and what happened in Copenhagen. The similarities are first, harming… trying to harm the freedom of expression. In Paris Charlie Hebdo was targeted and here in Copenhagen a conference was targeted, at which the French ambassador attended," she said, adding that in both cities a Jewish target had been attacked afterwards.
Zimeray said he was feeling "ok" now.
"Ok, I feel ok. I think that now the most important is to show solidarity of the French people with the Danish people. And it's not by chance that we are all targeted, because we both are the symbols of this freedom of expression and these values. And this way of life as well that we have in common. And I think that one of the most important things is to preserve what is at the very heart of our civilization, it's this society based on trust and this is very Danish, in fact," he said.
Witnesses said the envoy had barely finished his introduction when up to 40 shots rang out, outside the venue, as an attacker sprayed the cafe's windows with bullets.
Security experts said they considered Vilks, the main speaker, to have been the target. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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