Crew Meeting, And Remembering Charlie Hebdo

Sunday January 11 was the Newser's monthly crew meeting, discussing out successes for the past month, and what lay ahead in the next month or two. In the picture are DrFran Babcock, Locke Esgal, myself (Bixyl Shuftan), Gemma Cleanslate, and Nydia Tungsten.

Among the things brought up was the terrorist attack in Paris on the real life Charlie Hebdo magazine. Gemma, whom was among those who had written about the memorial to the fallen journalists (and cops) in the Paris area in Second Life, sported a "Je Suis Charlie" (I Am Charlie) T-Shirt.

The magazine would continue to make news with the release of a "Survivor's Edition" this week, in which a cartoon of the Muslim prophet Mohammad crying and holding an "I Am Charlie" sign, the captain reading "All Is Forgiven." The reaction of Muslims seems to be a mixed one, although there were those saying their views on blasphemy need to change, militants called the cartoon an insult that demanded further retaliation and bloodshed.

"To be continued"

Horror and Hope

A few days ago, innocent lives were cut short. There was an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine building in which several people were killed. Police officers, writers, cartoonists...It's hard to wrap my head around. When I heard the attack, I couldn't quite believe it. It seemed so far away, involving people that I didn't know. Sure, it was tragic, but...well, I just couldn't quite understand. I didn't have the capability of doing so. It wasn't until today, at the time of this writing, that I was able to grasp what was going on.

People died. Good people, innocent people died.

Our editor took me to the Paris sim to see the memorial and ... well, seeing all these people, reading the prayers, the support from all over the world. It finally sunk in.

All over, as you read this, there are rallies being held in support of the families that have lost loved ones in this horrifying event. Millions are out in the streets, show us all that these acts of violence will not cull us. We will not be cowed. We will stand strong.

Even here, on the grid, people are standing united in support of Charlie Hebdo, of France. Even in this slower time of day, dozens still mourn the people killed, all with the same phrase, a phrase indicating our unity....Je Suis Charlie.

Locke Esgal

"Humor Has Become a Profession at Risk"

By Gemma Cleanslate

 "L'humour est devenu une profession a risque."

 

The group Je Suis Charlie: Ce groupe est pour expirmer la solidarité avec les victimes du la tuerie dans les bureaux de l'hebdomadaire satirique Charlie Hebdo à Paris le 7 Janvier 2015. "This group is to  express our solidarity with the victims of the shooting at the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. on January 7, 2015."

 

Saturday and Sunday morning I spent some time standing at the Je Suis Charlie memorial in Second Life, in the  Paris sims, along with many others. Sunday it took a while to get into the main sim. I spent some time waiting in the next region until there was room. This was at the same hour as the massive gathering in Paris. It felt like a good thing to do. 

 

People from all over the world sent their regrets in to all in the Je Suis Charlie group chat and in the local chat, many in English , most in French. But the camaraderie was there and messages of support and peace. Several Muslims made their sympathies and brotherhood with all the mourners known too..” Not in my name”! Of course there were a few trolls with unfriendly comments but they were quickly dismissed by the participants. 

 

Many cartoons of support were posted near the photo of some of the murdered cartoonists.  Flowers and candles have been placed on the ground in front of the photo. This is temporary memorial but there will be a permanent one placed somewhere on the regions . If you would like to pay respects and view the memorial it will be here for a few more days I believe.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Les%20Champs%20Elysees/228/76/24 

 

I was glad to be there in support. 

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Paris 1900 Reacts to Terrorist Attack in Real Life Paris

By Bixyl Shuftan

It was yesterday, January 7, when terrorists struck in Paris France, attacking the office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine. The magazine has a history of lampooning subjects of all kinds from public figures to  politics to religion. But it's poking fun at Islam made it the target of death threats. Their office had been closed for a time after they were bombed. Their editor continued their no-holds-barred approach, once quoted as saying he would prefer to "die on my feet than live on my knees." The terrorists stormed the building, murdering him and eleven others, including two of France's most noted cartoonists and two unarmed policemen, one of whom was shot at close range while raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

The reaction from both France and around the world has been people making shows of support for the fallen journalists. Some with demonstrations. People have been making and holding signs: JE SUIS CHARLIE :  "I am Charlie." Among the places is one here in Second Life. The owner of the Paris 1900 sims responded by draping the Eiffel Tower with two signs in support of the magazine, "I Am Charlie," and "de tour cour avec Charlie Hebdo" (Any court with Charlie Hebdo). Also in the sim, "I Am Charlie" flags were flying, at half mast along with the French national flags."

I happened to see the owner of Paris 1900, Netpat Igaly , around. Getting his attention, he told me, "Yes we are deeply affected by this crime. Paris 1900 is also in mourning." He explained that there would be an event soon to honor the fallen, but were looking to see what would be the most appropriate. The banners themselves would be up for three days, and there are plans for a permanent memorial of some kind. Netpat expressed some problems translating what he had to say in English, "Ils ont voulu tuer la liberte de la presse il ne reussisse qu'a rassembler les francais autour de la liberte, légalite et la fraternité. !" This translated to ("They wanted to kill the freedom of the press. The press has to succeed. The French gather around freedom, equality, and brotherhood!")

Not everyone was there to support the dead. There was one resident there dressed in an Arab outfit. One other who was there to show support was BeCkYe Burnstein, "(I) could not believe it when I saw the news today." She then mentioned, "someone gave me a shirt and a texture." She then passed it on to me. The shirt was a women's one, so it doesn't fit men well.

For the next few days, one can still see the tribute at Paris Eiffel (14, 99, 21)

Bixyl Shuftan