Fox News
Celebrities express shock over French shootings
January 7, 2014
Actresses Bette Midler and Julianne Moore are among the stars who have expressed their sorrow and heartbreak after gunmen shot and killed 12 staff members at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.
At least two suspects stormed the publication’s Paris offices and opened fire, gunning down 12 people and leaving four others critically injured in what French President Francois Hollande has branded a “terrorist attack”.
Editors of the weekly Charlie Hebdo magazine have previously published controversial cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, infuriating devout members of Islam as depictions of religious figures are typically frowned upon. Wednesday’s attack is believed to be related to that controversy.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of sympathy and support from a slew of celebrities, with Moore taking to Twitter.com to write, “I am heartbroken by the loss of life and attack on freedom of expression”, while Midler posts, “There are no words. How many times have we said that in the last few years? Religious war comes to the doors of our homes. I think I have to go light some candles and say some prayers.”
French actor Gilles Marini has shared his outrage in a series of posts, which read: “Shame on what happened in France today. Governments around the world TOGETHER must stop those vermin”. He then adds, “To all Fanatics, extremist and devil (sic) that believe that God ask them to do that (sic). You’re wrong and manipulated.”
An angry Moby writes, “islamic extremists are willing to kill innocent people over CARTOONS?? what the f**k? what sort of deity can’t handle a cartoon? here are some options if you’re offended by a cartoon: a-don’t look at it. or b-make a funnier cartoon. killing people is not an option”.
Singer Josh Groban tweets, “My heart goes out to the French people and the city of Paris on this horrible day. This is an attack on us all and we are with you”, and his actress girlfriend Kat Dennings adds, “Paris! My heart goes out to you and everyone affected by this horrific attack. I love you all.”
Others who have tweeted about the shooting include Jamie Lee Curtis, Elijah Wood, Nancy Sinatra, Pete Wentz, OneRepublic, Nicki Minaj and Nicky Hilton.
As WENN went to press, the gunmen were still at large.
Among the dead are Charlie Hebdo founder Georges Wolinski and fellow famed cartoonists Jean ‘Cabu’ Cabut, Stephane ‘Charb’ Charbonnier and Bernard ‘Tignous’ Verlhac.
