Connor Kennedy
More than 300 NC State students, French natives and Americans gathered in Raleigh’s historic Moore Square Sunday to mourn those who were among the more than 130 individuals who died during the terrorist attacks against Paris Friday.
Sunday’s memorial honored Justine Moulin, one of those killed in the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant attack and a close friend of Julie De Mélo, an NC State international graduate studying global innovation management in the SKEMA program.
“I’m really happy everyone is here,” De Mélo said. “It’s important that everyone knows our pain.”
According to her friends, Justine, 23, attended the SKEMA Business School in Paris and had plans to attend NC State’s Centennial Campus.
De Mélo and the memorial’s organizer, Marie-Claire Ribeill, honorary consul of France to Raleigh, stressed that the memorial was also supposed to honor all of the countries that have experienced terrorist attacks in the last few weeks, including Kenya and Libya.
“We not only think about France but all the other countries around the world affected by terrorism,” Ribeill said.
The memorial featured pictures of Justine, flowers and a banner displayed between French and American flags. The banner declared “A Notre Justine” meaning “To Our Justine,” on which attendees could add a painted handprint. The banner will be sent to Justine’s family in an effort to show support despite the tremendous distance.
“I just want to say I’m there for all her friends and family. This is the best way to prove our respect and that Justine will live forever in our hearts,” De Mélo said as she thanked those who came to show support.
While her voice trembled and her hands shook, De Mélo described the pain she felt while waiting for 15 hours before getting news of her friend’s death. She could not understand these acts of violence against innocent people.
“Killed for nothing, just trying to live,” De Mélo said.
After 30 minutes of silent vigilance, Ribeill gave a brief speech thanking the community for their support. Members of the French community living in Raleigh were present, many draping themselves in or carrying French flags. A number of individuals with no ties to France also were in attendance, many carrying the flags from their own countries as a sign of support.
“Friendship between France and America is embodied here today,” Ribeill said.
Ribeill invoked the French motto of liberty, equality and fraternity as a source of support in the wake of these tragic events. She read a piece from The New York Times honoring France saying, “France embodies everything religious zealots everywhere hate.”
When the microphone was passed to De Mélo, she described Justine and reflected on how these attacks can impact anyone who lives in a modern society.
“She was a wonderful person, always smiling, loved to travel,” De Mélo said. “You are Justine, I am Justine, we are all Justine.”
Chancellor Randy Woodson also recognized the tragic event’s effects on communities around the world. He released a statement Saturday offering his condolences to all those involved and reminding students that the Counseling Center is available to help those in need.
“During this time, please take care of yourselves, look out to take care of other members of our Pack who might be hurting and don’t hesitate to contact any of the many caring staff members at NC State who are here for you,” Woodson wrote.
There will be a follow-up moment-of-silence event Monday at noon outside the Venture II building on Centennial Campus.