Google France Homepage Goes “Je Suis Charlie” In Memory Of Charlie Hebdo Victims

Google France has added the “Je Suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”) badge on its homepage, honoring the lives lost during the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, France.

Yesterday, the world woke to the harrowing news that terrorists had attacked the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo” offices, killing twelve people. The Wall Street Journal reported video footage showed masked gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, leaving the magazine’s offices and shouting, “We have avenged Muhammad. We have killed Charlie Hebdo.”

According to The Guardian, victims included eight cartoonists and journalists, two Charlie Hebdo staff and two police officers. Charlie Hebdo famed cartoonists Stéphane Charbonnier, Georges Wolinski and Jean Cabut were among the victims.

In a 2012 interview posted on ABCNews.com, Charbonnier said it wasn’t his magazine’s job to defend freedom of speech, but without it, “…we are dead.”

[blockquote cite=”Charlie Hebdo Editor & Cartoonist Stéphane Charbonnier”]Our job is not to defend freedom of speech, but without freedom of speech we are dead. We can’t live in a country without freedom of speech. I prefer to die then live like a rat.[/blockquote]

As a writer, journalist…and citizen of this world, my heart is heavy with grief over the loss suffered in Paris yesterday. (Even in penning this brief post, I have started tearing up once again since first hearing the news.) I am reminded how much I take for granted when it comes to the freedom I have to write, draw, and think out loud.

Along with the rest of the world, I mourn the lives lost during the senseless attack on Charlie Hebdo, and am now forever grateful for the content and the courage of this magazine and its staff.