WILKES-BARRE — As two separate terror attacks ended in death on Friday, what happened in France is being recognized in our area.
Developments in France have caught the attention of the world and the attention of many in our area as well.
Simultaneous attacks were carried out in two hostage standoffs. All three hostage-takers were killed.
The two sibling suspects of Wednesday’s massacre at the offices of a satirical newspaper in Paris took hostages at a printing press about 25 miles from the city.
At the same time, another gunman took hostages at a kosher supermarket.
As night fell in France, security forces stormed both locations killing the suspects.
This terror attack in France has gripped the world as it went from a deadly attack to a manhunt.
For two restaurant owners in Wilkes-Barre who grew up in France, they say hearing this news was particularly shocking to them because it’s so unfamiliar to their culture and people there.
Coverage of the deadly attacks in France has been nonstop.
Many have been glued to news reports since the story broke on Wednesday, especially Jean Baptiste Moreau who owns Le Manhattan Bistro in Wilkes-Barre. He grew up in northeastern France.
“Everybody is from Paris today. I think we are all in Paris today and think about those people who died.”
Moreau says the killing of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo magazine has many native to the country stunned because gun violence of any kind is unusual there.
“You not allowed to (be) wearing a gun, and walking the streets. This is not like here, where most of the time, or sometimes I’m scared. I see some people with a gun on their back and their kids,” Moreau said.
Co-owner and chef Gwen Lepape at Le Manhattan is also a native to the country and has been watching all the coverage at the restaurant since it happened.
“It’s outrageous, you know? There are shootings, there are bank robberies, there are car jackings, there are crimes, but not I think as violent as this was.”
The owners of Le Manhattan put up a bouquet in the colors of France symbolizing the “We are Charlie” movement, that we are all in this together.
“A lot of people … applaud about what happened and are standing behind the people at this magazine, and standing behind the press also, and standing behind freedom of expression and all that. I think that just made it stronger,” Lepape said.
In solidarity, vigils have been held in France and around the world supporting the movement.
“We need to work together from this now. It’s really important that we accept the different points of view,” Moreau said. “We should be able to discuss, communicate and that will change the world.”
The owners of Le Manhattan said this incident really made them aware that terror attacks can happen anywhere and that’s why they are really supporting this We Are Charlie movement to remind the world of the need to band together to fight terrorism.
