Charlie Hebdo Surviving Cartoonists Talk About Moving Forward At Emotional Press Conference
Nearly a week after the massacre at the satirical magazine, surviving Charlie Hebdo cartoonists talked to the media about how they plan to move forward from the tragedy that took the lives of 11 of their colleagues.
A visibly affected staff member struggled to explain what he and his colleagues are going through and how they “unblock” themselves following the brutal murder of 11 Charlie Hebdo staffers. In simple words, he stated that they must go on and will not let their friends’ deaths be in vain.
The weekly, which normally puts out about 65,000 copies, is working feverishly to print three million copies that will be translated into three languages, English, Spanish & Arabic. As reported by the Inquisitr the new Charlie Hebdo cover will feature a cartoon showing the Prophet Mohammed weeping.
Additionally, staffers have included the now popular outcry line, “Je Suis Charlie” in the form of a sign being held by the Prophet and the words “All is forgiven.” Simple and touching.
After having difficulty speaking initially, the Charlie Hebdo survivors resorted to what they know best, their humor and shared the new cover for the world to see. This, despite threats from Islamic terrorists not to publish the latest cartoons.
The drawings included in the newest edition were created by those who perished in the Charlie Hebdo attack on Wednesday of last week, “we tried to put the drawings of those that are no longer here in this newspaper…” Two gunmen identified as brothers, Cherif and Said Kouachi, stormed the building in which a staff meeting was taking place.
According to other survivors the masked men asked for their victims by name and proceeded to kill them, execution style. The attack — which was not the first suffered by the controversial magazine — came after threats from Islamic groups who said the cartoons depicting the Prophet were offensive.
Charlie Hebdo not only focused on the Islamic holy figure, but also published offensive cartoons depicting Christian figures such as Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Additionally, the covers included politicians, such as French President Hollande and others.
The Charlie Hebdo attack has sparked a national movement aiming at showing that the French public will not be intimidated in the face of the terrorist brutality. Phrases such as “Not afraid” were seen at massive rallies held spontaneously in Paris and at the march on Sunday, which was attended by more than 40 world leaders who came to show their support.
Surviving Charlie Hebdo cartoonist, Luz, summed up how millions in the world are feeling, “the people who carried out the attack have no sense of humor.”
[Image via BBC News]
