The horrific terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 left people around the world stunned, appalled, and and grief-stricken. In times of mass tragedy, it can be incredibly hard to respond in a way that feels helpful and incredibly easy to lose one’s faith in humanity. However, as details emerge, the one thing that is abundantly clear is that “kindness spreads faster than hate”. People in Paris have banned together to support those affected in some pretty amazing ways.
"Imagine" played on a mobile piano near the #Bataclan in Paris. People here are in chock. #ParisAttacks #tv2newsdk pic.twitter.com/QMcbfuBR7c
— Rasmus Tantholdt TV2 (@RasmusTantholdt) November 14, 2015
The Bataclan music hall was one of the many locations across Paris that was attacked. This morning, a musician bicycled to the hall carrying a piano. When he arrived, he set up the instrument and began playing John Lennon’s “Imagine” for those who had gathered at the site to mourn.
The Stade de France was another location that was under attack. As crowds of football fans were evacuated from the stadium, they began singing “La Marseillaise”, the French national anthem, in a moving demonstration of strength and solidarity.
Credit: http://porteouverte.eu/
As news of the attacks spread across social media, so did the hashtag #PorteOuverte. Porte ouverte, or “open door” spread across Twitter as users offered their homes and places of worship to those in need.
Hey tourists in #Paris if you need help or some place to sleep around Jussieu 5th arrondissement, my door is open. #PorteOuverte #OpenDoor
— t. nigro (@ThomasNigro) November 13, 2015
You're welcome to our home if you're afraid of going home through Paris and are near La Vilette #porteouverte
— Them Games (@ThemGames) November 13, 2015
My Friends are safe, in a random woman's home. She's making them dinner, & preparing beds. Blessed. #PorteOuverte
— T. Westfield • iHandleStuff® (@TWestfield) November 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/RohanSinghKalsi/status/665298205693911041
Later, a website was created to help those seeking temporary shelter. Residents can add their address to the database, and those in need of a place to stay can browse through and find ones close to them.
Taxis taking people for free in Paris as many others stuck in shuttered bars, restaurants, some even locked in kitchens #ParisAttacks
— sophie pilgrim (@sophiepilgrim) November 13, 2015
After the attacks began, France closed its boarders, and the Army began securing Paris. In order to help get people to safe locations, local taxi drivers shut off their meters and offered free rides to all residents.
#Paris: people queue in hospitals to donate blood pic.twitter.com/4fyELppHSQ
— Grégory Dominé (@mokkacuka) November 14, 2015
While information about the number of victims is still being confirmed, residents across France were seen lining up at hospitals to donate blood. Lines have been so long that medical officials were forced to ask people to space out their donations throughout the week.
Making sense of unspeakable tragedy is nearly impossible, but it is unbelievably heartwarming to see such messages of love, kindness, and support spread throughout France. Kindness truly does spread faster than hate.
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