Charlie at Place de la Nation

This was the destination of the march for freedom of expression in Paris this afternoon, in protest  of the cruel killings of journalists and Jews last week.  At least a million people came out. It was impossible for any single ordinary person to see even a small part of it, because things did not unfold as announced, doubtless as a security measure.  The forty world leaders and relatives of those murdered marched only a short way to the Nation, and few of the would-be marchers could move more than a few blocks.   We arrived here at the edge of the circular place, after the 40 world leaders who had come to show their support had spoken (if in fact they did).  As far as we could tell, everything was peaceful and mostly quiet.

The statue taken over by demonstrators is at the center of the Place de la Nation. It's The Triumph of the Republic, by Dalou. View the image in large to see it a bit more clearly, perhaps.