Standing as one with France

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The attacks in Paris left another populace stunned, scared and wondering why. New Yorkers know the feeling all too well.

Marvin Parks, a New York jazz singer now working in Paris, reminded his friends, “The shootings happened in France, but Americans, Brits, French and others were harmed during this tragedy. It affects us all.”

Parks said he did not face any real travel restrictions, but he likened the police and soldiers he saw everywhere to the police presence in Manhattan since Sept. 11, 2001.

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty said, “My heart goes out to the families who have suffered the loss of loved ones not only most recently in Paris, but those who have seen loved ones lost as they defend our freedom and liberty throughout the world.”

“My heart is full of sadness for the despicable and cowardly acts carried out by the terrorists in France,” said State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky. “I stand with our freedom-loving brothers and sisters as we mourn the loss of all those who were senselessly murdered. Out of this tragedy must rise a new hope that our light will defeat their darkness.”

“The coordinated terrorist attacks in France on unarmed civilians … is the definition of cowardice and pure evil,” Town Supervisor-elect Tony Santino posted on Facebook. “Our society can take no more of this terror. Now, more than ever, we must stand together with freedom loving people across the globe to take decisive action to win the war on terror.”

A statement posted on the Islamic Center of Long Island’s website quoted a verse from the Koran: “… [W]hoever kills an innocent person — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.” The statement added that the center stood in solidarity with the people of France.

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