London lights up in support of grieving Paris

Others displayed posters in memory of recent terror attacks in Beirut and Baghdad.

People gathered at Washington Square Park to show their support for the more than 120 people killed in Friday’s terrorist attacks throughout Paris.

Hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park on Saturday, waving French flags and signs of solidarity with Paris.

The fountains in Trafalgar Square will also be lit red, white and blue tonight, and two French Tricolores will be projected onto the front of the National Gallery.

For French citizens who said they felt powerless an ocean away from loved ones in Paris, the moments of solidarity with New Yorkers and their fellow countrymen were greatly needed.

One message read “We are with Paris”, alongside a drawing of the World Trade Center Tower next to the Eiffel Tower.

The U.S. flag stood at half-staff in the park, as it did across NY, and a few held placards reading, “Liberte, egalite, fraternite” – the French motto – and “not afraid”.

The UK’s Ambassador to France, Peter Ricketts, said: “We are fully mobilised in the Embassy dealing with appalling events in Paris”. London landmarks the National Theatre, London Eye ferris wheel and Tower Bridge were also bathed in the French colours, joining other iconic buildings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds.

MCB secretary general Dr Shuja Shafi added: “The attacks once again in Paris are horrific and abhorrent, and we condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms”. Flowers and candles were also placed at the French Embassy.

“It’s so good to see solidarity here in the United States”, said Walckenaer, who lives in the same arrondissement – or district – where a few of the attacks took place.

“What is happening is just so terrible and evil and to me it’s just going to continue”, she said.

Catriona Robertson, director of the Christian-Muslim Forum, said: “Terrorism has no religion – and today’s event will show solidarity and how we are all united in our prayers for those killed and injured”.

The Islamic State terror group has taken responsibility for the coordinated gun-and-suicide bombing attacks on six locations throughout the city, including a concert hall where 89 people were killed. The French President, François Hollande, was immediately evacuated from the stadium following the initial explosion outside the sports stadium.

In a statement, Mr Alexander’s family said: “It is with huge sorrow that we can confirm that our beloved Nick lost his life at the Bataclan last night”.

He said: “These were innocent victims enjoying a Friday night out with friends and family, no doubt at the end of a hard week”.

“They will not succeed”.