- Title: High security at Bataclan, cafes targeted in Paris attacks ahead of anniversary
- Date: 12th November 2016
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 12, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BATACLAN CONCERT HALL DIGITAL BANNER ANNOUNCING ROCK STAR STING'S PERFORMANCE POLICE VANS PARKED IN FRONT OF BATACLAN SIGN FOR BATACLAN POLICEMAN GETTING OUT OF VAN PEOPLE IN FRONT OF BATACLAN / POLICE WALKING TO ENTRANCE SIGN FOR BATACLAN POLICE ENTERING BATACLAN VARIOUS OF PARIS VISITOR, JULIO CAVALEIRO, AND HIS FAMILY LOOKING AT BATACLAN (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS VISITOR, JULIO CAVALEIRO, SAYING: "It's important to show my children that a beautiful city like Paris is a cosmopolitan city, that celebration, joy and love must prevail over human stupidity and over atrocities like those which happened last year." POLICE REMOVING MOTORCYCLE VARIOUS OF HEAVILY ARMED POLICE IN BATACLAN AREA WOMAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF BATACLAN WITH HER PHONE SIGN FOR "LA BELLE EQUIPE" BISTRO, ONE OF THE TARGETS OF THE PARIS ATTACKERS WHERE 20 PEOPLE WERE KILLED EXTERIOR OF BISTRO VARIOUS CUSTOMERS SITTING ON TERRACE (SOUNDBITE) (French) "LA BELLE EQUIPE" CUSTOMER WHO LIVES IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILD, BENJAMIN SARDA, SAYING: "Inevitably we think about it. The police set up barriers, which reinforces the impression a bit that it happened only yesterday. Actually, it doesn't frighten me, it saddens me. But it doesn't frighten me." VARIOUS OF FRENCH FLAG BLOWING UNDER ARC DE TRIOMPHE
- Embargoed: 27th November 2016 12:01
- Keywords: Paris France November 13 attacks Islamic State Bataclan bars La Belle Equipe
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA00158516IV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:French authorities set up tight security measures around the Bataclan concert hall in Paris on Saturday (November 12), the venue where Islamist militants killed 90 people in November 2015 ahead of rock star Sting's performance to mark its reopening a year after the tragedy.
Police vans were parked just outside the Bataclan as officers entered the building, while others carrying heavy weapons were seen standing guard down the street.
Proceeds from the November 12 concert will go to two charities catering to victims of the attacks of November 13, 2015, with some of those who were hurt in the attack being invited back to see the Sting reopener.
The head of the firm that owns the Bataclan, a landmark for rock fans and partygoers of all ages, said the venue had been totally renovated, but kept largely as it was before.
Paris visitor Julio Cavaleiro who brought his family to Paris said it was important for them to take a walk past the Bataclan and that he felt the world had taken a bitter turn since the night of the attacks.
"It's important to show my children that a beautiful city like Paris is a cosmopolitan city, that celebration, joy and love must prevail over human stupidity and over atrocities like those which happened last year," he said.
In all, 130 people died a year ago when 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, where Brahim Abdeslam, brother of living suspect Salah Abdeslam, blew himself up.
The restaurant La Belle Equipe, where 20 people died, and several injured, reopened on March 21, after renovations.
Parisians who live near the sites targeted by the attackers recall the emotional blow of November 13 like Benjamin Sarda who lives in the neighbourhood with his family.
"Inevitably we think about it. The police set up barriers, which reinforces the impression a bit that it happened only yesterday. Actually, it doesn't frighten me, it saddens me. But it doesn't frighten me," he said.
Responsibility for the killings was claimed by the Islamic State group, which has called on its followers to attack France in retaliation for its involvement in bombing the group in Iraq and Syria. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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