Greenwich Shows Solidarity with France

Nearly 100 Greenwich residents, French ex-pats and members of Alliance Française of Greenwich gathered on the steps of Greenwich Town Hall Friday to show their support of France in the wake of last week’s terrorists attacks.

“We share in this solemn time in solidarity with the French, not only abroad but here in Greenwich,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei. “Over the years we have celebrated French culture and now more than ever, we show our solidarity with the French.”

After a moment of silence in memory of those killed in the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, Alliance Française President Renee Ketcham decried the “senseless violence.”

Ketcham said, “We have great unity … the French do it best. We wouldn’t be here without the Marquis de LaFayette. France is family and we are here to defend our family.”

Then Serge Gabriel, who emigrated from France to Greenwich in 1972, raised the French flag and led the group in singing La Marseillaise, the French national anthem.

Photos courtesy of Mike Bocchino.