Large rally at Liberty Memorial supports the people of France

More than 200 French nationals and supporters gathered in front of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City on Sunday afternoon to show solidarity with the people of Paris after Friday’s terrorist attacks.

“This is the second time in one year that we are gathered here at the World War I Museum,” said Cyprienne Simchowitz, honorary consul for the French Republic in western Missouri and Kansas. “Folks, we really need to stop meeting that way.”

Simchowitz thanked Kansas City for its support of the French people, particularly the lighting of Union Station and other buildings in the tricolors of the French flag.

“This tragedy in Paris touches all of us,” Simchowitz said, adding that a distant relative of a compatriot here was killed in the front row in the attack at the concert hall.

“What I want to emphasize is the response and the reaction of the Parisians in the face of horror: diginity, compassion, unity, solidarity,” Simchowitz said.

She said Parisians responded to the hashtag #opendoors to invite people who were stranded Friday night into their homes, taxi drivers gave others rides for free and people were lined up to give blood.

Simchowitz referred to the motto of Paris that she will be tossed on the waters but will not sink.

“We don’t know whether this is the last one (attack),” she said. “But we can say, all united and in solidarity, that we will be tossed on the waters but we shall not sink.”

Kansas City Councilman Scott Taylor encouraged everyone gathered to come to the 26th floor of City Hall at 3 p.m. on Thursday when the city council will adopt a resolution condemning the terrorist attacks.

“Kansas City cares,” Taylor said. “Kansas City is a global city and we stand with Paris today.”

The brief gathering ended with a group singing of the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Large rally at Liberty Memorial supports the people of France."