: Perhaps the most powerful image I saw in the crowd today was the one depicting three widows from three different faiths. The Christians killed at Charlie Hebdo, the Muslim police officer executed just outside, and the Jewish victims killed in the Kosher Deli seize. The message translates roughly to, “And funny ladies…all veiled in mourning.” The symbolism in this one picture captured the loss of so many, the pride in France as the pencils make up the colors of the French Republic, and the unity that must not be broken even as the broken pencils sit in a pool of blood at their feet. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Monsieur J. Beautru took a moment to share his solidarity with Charlie Hebdo and said he hoped all the world would recognize cowering in fear is not the answer! Photo: Shannon Grady

: Every corner and every newspaper stand was adorned with the words, “JE SUIS CHARLIE”! Photo: Shannon Grady

: Parisians began making their way to the rally held at Place de la Republique, a square in the heart of Paris. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Some marchers came with handmade signs in French. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Others came with signs in German, among other languages but all showing solidarity with the fallen in this week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. Photo: Shannon Grady

: There was limited walking space in the beginning but as the crowds grew in number, space disappeared into a sea of people. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Two Parisians wear their support on their caps as the crowd continues to grow. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Police were highly visible on every street and major transportation sight, such as the metro or train station. Photo: Shannon Grady

: A giant pencil with the words, “Not Afraid” was hoisted to the sound of loud applause and cheers by those standing atop the center statue. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Hand painted signs showing that one pencil may have been broken with the deaths at Charlie Hebdo, but a million more stand in the wings ready to continue their work. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Even the Lady of Equality participated in the rally as she was symbolically silenced with a black X over her mouth. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Pasted atop the monument in the center of the square were the names of the fallen. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Their pictures adorned another sign made by a crowd member. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Here a group of French Muslims hold a sign that says, “I am French, Muslim, and against terrorism. Photo: Shannon Grady

: Reports from Fox News that the crowds were numbered in the tens of thousands was wildly off from the hundreds of thousands. According to a member of the Belgian Prime Ministers press corps the estimates were as high as 1.2 million but could not be accurately gauged because every avenue leading to the march was clogged with throngs of people. Having been in Berlin for the 25th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall, an estimated half a million people packed the streets and the numbers in Paris were far more significant than what I witnessed there first hand. Photo: Shannon Grady

: A marcher carries an example of the comic strips that were blamed for the violent Islamic Terrorist attack by many in the left leaning media. Photo: Shannon Grady

: A side alley, off of the main march demonstrates how many people turned out to the rally. Photo: Shannon Grady

: I will close with this poignant picture of a drawing that depicts an angel reporting to God, “There are new arrivals out there who would like paper and pencils.” Let’s all hope that there will be an end to “new arrivals” via terrorist attacks. Photo: Shannon Grady

All photos of the Charlie Hebdo rally in Paris property of Shannon Grady/PolitiChicks.com

About the Author

South Carolina Politichick Shannon Grady came to the staff in late 2013 with experience writing political pieces on US foreign, domestic, and education policy for SGPAction.com. Shannon has also been a guest commentator on The PonyTail Patriot BlogTalkRadio show. Shannon brings a unique perspective to European politics as she is able to cover events happening across Europe from the heart of the EU, while living in Brussels, Belgium. Her articles include original coverage of the Memorial Day events at Flanders Field, Belgium and the 70th anniversary D-Day events in Normandy, France. Shannon has a BA in History from the University of South Carolina, a Masters from Webster University, and recently finished her doctorate program at Liberty University where she focused on Educational Leadership and Administration. She currently teaches online AP courses in Macro and Micro Economics and AP US history. She is the wife of active duty Army officer LTC Matthew Grady who is currently assigned to NATO in Belgium and the mother of one rambunctious little boy. Follow Shannon on Twitter: @SGPAExPat

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