- Title: Eagles of Death Metal singer moved by Paris attacks ceremony
- Date: 13th November 2016
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 13, 2016) (AGENCY POOL) VALLS AND HOLLANDE LISTENING TO GOSPEL CHOIR
- Embargoed: 28th November 2016 13:47
- Keywords: France Paris Francois Hollande attacks Islamic State November 13 townhall 11th disctrict Bataclan Eagles of Death Metal
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA00758A1NPJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A large crowd gathered in front of Paris' 11th district town hall building on Sunday (November 13) for a ceremony in honour of the victims killed in the coordinated November 2015 attacks carried out by Islamist militants which left 130 people dead.
Members of the Californian rock band Eagles of Death Metal, who were performing at the Bataclan concert hall when three gunmen stormed in and sprayed bullets into revellers with AK-47s killing 90 people, attended the ceremony organised by an association created for victims of the attacks, "Life for Paris".
Politicians including French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also attended the ceremony after unveiling six commemorative plaques at each of the targeted sites. No speeches were made by politicians at the request of the victims' loved ones.
On November 13, 2015, groups of gunmen and suicide bombers attacked the perimeter of the Stade de France sports stadium, the Bataclan and a string of six restaurants: La Belle Equipe, Le Petit Cambodge, Le Carillon, Cafe Bonne Biere, la Casa Nostra, and le Comptoir Voltaire.
An emergency worker who was on duty the night of the attacks played a piano piece which was followed by the releasing of colourful balloons into the air to symbolise the victims in all their diversity.
A gospel choir sang "Let it Shine", much to the liking of Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes who said he was very moved by the ceremony.
"I wouldn't imagine anyone not wanting to be here. This city is a shining example of really the best possible way to react to something that's awful and evil. This is the leadership core of what to do and I'm very proud that I get to count so many people amongst my family and friends now," he told reporters.
"And from the second that the first bullets started flying, this country took care of us. And we are grateful forever, and I just hope everyone here knows how much we love this country and every person in it," he added.
Hughes had turned up on Saturday (November 12) at the Bataclan, which re-opened with a show by British pop star Sting.
Bataclan co-director Jules Frutos told French media he had refused entry to Hughes at the Sting concert, but Hughes denied this, saying he had just hung around outside the venue.
"I never actually tried to get into the show," he said.
Frutos had earlier told France Info radio station that he would not invite Eagles of Death Metal back to the Bataclan, after Hughes made accusations about its security.
In March, Hughes apologised for suggesting security guards at the Bataclan may have had advance knowledge of the assault, saying he had made the claim as a result of stress and nightmares.
During a more than two-hour long assault, the attackers executed some victims and took others hostage. The Bataclan attack ended after one militant was shot dead and the two others killed themselves by detonating explosive vests.
The town hall of the 11th district in eastern Paris was chosen for the commemorative ceremony as emergency workers and attack survivors flocked to the building after gunmen attacked bars and cafes close by.
Responsibility for the killings was claimed by the Islamic State group, which has called on its followers to attack France, which is bombing IS bases in Iraq and Syria. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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