Lancaster pays its respects to victims of Paris attacks

A Lancaster University student with the French flag as students pay their respects to victims of the Paris attacks.

Hundreds of students and staff assembled in Alexandra Square at noon on Monday to pay their respects in a brief ceremony led by a group of French students.

Following a minute’s silence, the French and British national anthems were sung.

Elsewhere in the district, flags above Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls flew at half mast and the minute’s silence was observed by Lancaster City Council staff, as well as in other homes and businesses throughout the area.

Students in Alexandra Square at Lancaster University during a gathering to pay respects to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

The Lancashire Anglican/Muslim Forum has also commented on the atrocities in Paris on Friday, in which 129 people were killed.

“We are shaken by the horrific, atrocious and vicious attacks that have taken place in Paris,” said a spokesman.

“Our thoughts, feelings and prayers are with the victims’ loved ones. We express our solidarity with the families of those affected and with the people of France. We pray that whatever we say and do, in particular in the coming days, takes into consideration people’s suffering, emotions and sensibilities. And we pray that we avoid words and actions which add fuel to the fire lit by people that wish to divide us.”