Mayor Bill de Blasio made a trip to Paris on Tuesday to show his and his city's support in the wake of a spate of bloody terrorist attacks that horrified France.
De Blasio paid his respects at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper and at a kosher supermarket, leaving flowers to join the already numerous bouquets. The attacks were carried out Jan. 7 and 9, and left 17 people dead.
De Blasio was accompanied by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and at one point, Charlie Hebdo columnist Patrick Pelloux.
Speaking to reporters later, Hidalgo said de Blasio was the first person to call her after the attacks. "This was very moving for me," she said through a translator.
De Blasio said the trip was to show New York City's solidarity with Paris, as places that have experienced terrorism.
"We have borne the brunt of terror, and we have, over many years, shown the world an example — each in our own way — of tolerance and inclusion, of a pluralistic society, a multicultural society," he said.
Asked about the relationship between the two cities, he said it was even deeper, that the attacks were a turning point for Paris the way the Sept. 11, attacks were for New York City in 2001.
"Every one of us who was in New York that day remembers where we were, and remembers the way it changed our lives," he said. "I think for the people of Paris, these attacks had that same impact. And it challenges us to find a way forward."
Local
The NYPD sent a ceremonial unit to France last week to attend services for law enforcers there killed during the terrorist attack. The team was also working with police in Paris as part of expanded training for "active shooters" who arm themselves with high-powered rifles and open fire.
