Vigils have been held across Paris in the aftermath of the terror attacks that took at least 129 lives on Friday. Photographer Gillian Laub met people who were out honoring the victims and reflecting on the tragedy the next day.
Paquita Mboni and Laurent Farre
Among them were 30-year-old Paquita Mboni, left, and Laurent Farre, 40, at the Place de la Republique square.
“In the United States I don’t know if this would have happened,” Farre said. “People would have been able to defend themselves because they are allowed to carry guns. We aren’t, so we are defenseless. But we won’t give in to fear. It’s not an option.”
Laurent Masseau
Laurent Masseau, 36, was attending a vigil at La Republique. “We are in a state of emergency. It’s a kind of civil war. I have felt this coming on for a long time, and now it’s been confirmed. I am worried that some politicians are going to use this for their own profits and create more hatred.”
Carla Crenn
Carla Crenn paid respects outside the Bataclan concert hall, where most of the fatalities occurred. “I came here to pay my respects to the people who we lost. Today was very hard,” said the 20-year-old. “I felt like everyone was staring at me as if I was a terrorist. There is a big difference between being a practicing Muslim and a terrorist. … I had friends here last night who were killed. That could have been me.”
Joe Adelaide and Felicity Ben Rejeb Price
Joe Adelaide and Felicity Ben Rejeb Price paid their tributes outside the Bataclan. “I was coming home from work last night, and my girlfriend texted saying don’t go home, something terrible happened,” said Adelaide, 26. “I had to go see; I couldn’t help it. But I wasn’t even allowed near my apartment because it’s across the street from Bataclan and there were barricades.”
Sara Bouden
“My friend Hyacinthe was killed here last night,” 28-year-old Sara Bouden said Saturday outside the restaurant La Belle Equipe. “I live in the neighborhood and have met her here before. I could have been here with her last night. I am still in shock. It doesn’t seem real and I don’t know what is going to happen. We all came out here tonight in solidarity to pray for better times.”
Pierre Carol
“I walk by (La Belle Equipe) every day on my way to work,” said Pierre Carol, 32. “How can this be? Young people just enjoying life and relaxing after a long week at work. Why the young innocent people?”
Awa Diabate
“I am a Muslim and starting to doubt my religion when these people who kill other human beings also call themselves Muslims,” 32-year-old Awa Diabate said outside the Bataclan. “But I won’t ever lose my faith. I will fight for my beliefs and for my family.”
Moira Rosabrunetto
“I came here to show my respect and reflect on this tragedy,” 18-year-old Moira Rosabrunetto said at the Place de la Republique. “I hope all the Islamophobia ends in this country. … Everyone deserves some dignity.”
Mazr Marzouk
Mazr Marzouk went to the Bastille neighborhood vigil to light a candle. “I came here from Egypt in 2002 and raised my three children here, so they are French,” said Marzouk, 38. “I am so devastated about what happened, and I am scared for my children. … I don’t want my kids to be filled with hate or fear.”
Clea Mbaki Maboliaa
Clea Mbaki Maboliaa, 16, said she almost went to the concert at the Bataclan the night of the attack, but her parents didn’t allow her. “I came here with my mom tonight to take photos and to show that we are here and not scared,” the teenager said. “It is my rebellion. I couldn’t sit home and do nothing.”