Voices from Paris
Parisians reflect on whether the attacks will dim the City of Light
Tim Chester
PARIS — After a weekend of somber memorials and deserted streets, Parisians slowly returned to work after the worst attacks on their city since World War II.But things felt far from normal as people continued to absorb what had happened and what the attacks might mean.Across the city, from the metro to workplaces to the Université Paris Est Marne la Vallée on the outskirts of Paris, people shared their thoughts and their love for a wounded city.
Julia: We were watching the match on TV and we heard the boom [from the explosions outside the Stade de France.] We thought it was crazy that this is happening in Paris. The government must take responsibility for the security of the French people and the tourists or people will be too scared to go out. Paris will find its usual way of life again. We just have to stay strong. I don’t think it will stay as scary as it is at the moment.
Esteban: I felt terrible when I heard the news. I’ve been trying to lighten the mood a bit so not everyone would cry. I think Paris will stay the same — just a bit more angry maybe. I hope it’s short and intense.
Lindsay: People will be careful and wary. People will try to get back to normal but it won’t be normal. I’m not sure that bombings [in Syria] are the best way to react. Those people did it because they didn’t feel part of our society. They feel rejected. So we have to include them in our environment to avoid another attack like this. We have to integrate them.Keya: It will leave an aftertaste. It will be more bitter. Two of my friends were there. One died and another survived. The survivor is traumatized. She’s French and wants to leave the country.
Mehdi: I think there will be a period when it’s more complicated. There will be more security, and some paranoia from some people. With time it will go back to normal. Some friends of mine went to the city center during the weekend and they said it was still same city. I have friends who tell me they should destroy every terrorist but then innocent people will be hurt. It’s a war. It’s never easy. People who didn’t ask for this will be punished as well.
Alain: Paris won’t be the same right now. People are on edge. There’s a real problem with security in France. Inside and out there’s a threat. The main thing they should do is destroy ISIS.
Leanne: Even though people might not want to go out at first, it will go back to normal because this is Paris. It’s a very big city. We have freedom and we really don’t want to lose it. We want to show that we’re proud of our city and not afraid. We should not hide — it’s ridiculous. That’s what they want. I think the government should close the borders for everyone until we are OK politically and socially. For visitors and immigrants. They need to control what’s going on here.
Farouk: Paris will stay the same. It always has a sense of freedom. Paris is always going to remain free. There’s no face to this enemy so there’s nothing really you can do.
Cathy: We thought that after Charlie Hebdo it was never going to be the same. There’s a time and it goes in the past. I’m afraid it’s going to come back again. You have to keep going. I think they should expel the radical imams — the ones who come here and preach hate. In terms of curtailing our civil liberties, if it’s temporary, you have to accept it.
Pascale: Is it going to change in Paris? No. What is there to change? The only way something will change is if there is a second attack just after this one, especially at a school or something like that. France has been doing a good job so far. Jean Pierre: Paris won’t change.