In the wake of last Friday’s terrorist attacks on Paris, members of the Ole Miss community gathered around the American flag in the Circle this Wednesday, joined hands and prayed silently for the victims and the families in mourning.
Three teams of Islamic State terrorists killed more than 125 people in coordinated attacks throughout Paris Friday night, according to French officials.
“This wasn’t just an attack on the people of France. It was an attack on everything democratic, the ideals that we stand for and that France stands for,” Associate Student Body President Rod Bridges said. “We were attacked. It’s not even really a political issue. It goes deeper than that. It’s a human issue.”
Bridges said it was important for students to meditate, pray or think seriously about the attacks in Paris during the ASB-sponsored vigil.
Participants hold hands at the vigil Wednesday in the Circle in honor of the victims of the Paris attacks. (Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Bridges said. “This is exactly, I think, what we as a University stand for, that we can come together, no matter our differences.”
ASB senator Andrew Soper organized the event in an attempt to show solidarity and a united front against the violence in Paris.
“I just wanted the world, the United States, and Paris to know universities like Ole Miss are with the victims over there,” Soper said.
Isaac Jenkins, youth leader and director of Ole Miss Cru, led approximately 40 students and faculty members at the vigil in prayers for America, peace and the failure of ISIS.
Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusades for Christ International, is a worldwide interdenominational Christian ministry.
“We pray for a full recovery,” Jenkins said.
Cru will host a service at 3 p.m. Thursday at Paris-Yates Chapel where Cru chapters from six other Southern schools will pray together via Skype for Paris and world leaders.
Participants in the vigil for victims of the Paris terrorism attacks, hand in hand, form a circle around the flag pole for a prayer led by Isaac Jenkins, director of UM Cru. (Photo by: Ariel Cobbert)
Office of International Programs Director Ge-Yao Liu said it was the university’s responsibility to show support and compassion for not only those affected in France, but international students in Oxford.
“As an international student office, it is our job not only to take care of the students, but care about their well being.”
Liu said the attacks also raise the security issue of protecting UM students abroad.
“Here’s the thing. What terrorists did, like it or not, the impact is there,” Liu said. “It creates a subconscious fear. We have students every year study in France and different parts of the world.”
