Cheshire East Council Members and staff have raised the French flag and held a minutes’ silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Paris terror attack.
Council Leader Michael Jones led the flag ceremony outside the authority’s Westfields HQ today as staff and Members observed a moment of quiet reflection.
Councillor Jones paid tribute to the victims of the attacks and the French people.
He said: “The people of Cheshire East witnessed with great sadness and horror the unfolding events in Paris on Friday night and throughout the weekend.
“These despicable attacks have shocked the whole of Europe. We must be ever vigilant – but also compassionate.
“These events are beyond religion, culture or country; they demonstrate man’s capacity for inhumanity to one another.
“Cheshire East Members and officers stand together with their French brothers and sisters at this time of great sadness and mourning. We send our deepest condolences to all of the families of the bereaved and offer our prayers for the wounded.
“We stand as one Europe – beyond creed, race or colour – in recognition of the suffering caused. But we can never forgive the cowardly actions of these terrorists in the streets and concert halls of Paris.
“Our thoughts are with those touched by this tragedy.”
Alarms at all main Council buildings – Westfields (Sandbach), Delamere House and Municipal Buildings (Crewe), Macclesfield Town Halls (old and new) – sounded briefly as a reminder of the minute’s silence today (Monday).
The Council’s flag was first lowered to half mast before the French flag was raised in its place at the Council’s Westfieds HQ, as well as at the Council other main offices at Macclesfield Town Hall and Crewe Municipal Buildings.
Cllr Jones is to write to the French ambassador to express the Council’s deepest condolences and solidarity with the people of France at this difficult time.
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