More than 100 march through Aber in support of Paris

On Thursday evening hundreds of students and Aberystwyth locals came together in a show of unity for the victims of the Paris attacks.

Aber residents marched across town to the memorial for a minute’s silence.

The march was organised by Third year International Politics student Jean François-Poncet, who gave a few choice words to the crowd. 

He said: “These attacks were not against France itself but against our common western values: freedom where Isis believes in oppression, equality where they fight for the slavery of women, fraternity where Isis only believe in chaos and death. So it was not against France but the values that we hold so dearly.”

When asked why he decided to organise the march, Jean told us: “It was to show that even in the smallest areas, we can show our solidarity and unity against those attacks.

“I was amazed by the solidarity that was shown by so many countries against the attack and I wanted to show that the people of Aberystwyth were also in full solidarity with those events.”

He added: “I was amazed by the turn out and by the implication of the people in Aberystwyth. I would like to thank especially Why Not for inviting the people at the end of the march into their bar for some food and drink: they prepared everything in advance and surprised us with their invitation.

“I would also like to thank some staff of the university and bars of Aberystwyth who shared the event.”

Sporting the tricolour as a cape, it was Jean who lead the march from Aber train station, across to the high street and promenade and then up to the memorial.

After the minute’s silence the French students came together for a rendition of French national anthem “Le Marseillaise”.

James Clegg, an International Politics finalist, attended the march. He told us: “I think the main point is to not let hate lead to hate and to stay united”.

In a time like this, it’s a very important message to take away.