It didn’t take long for Twitter to respond after 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, yesterday. With at least 84 killed, it marks another in a series of deadly attacks on Western Europe—and the severity seems to be escalating.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on the attack:
“Terrorism is a threat that weighs heavily upon France and will continue to weigh for a long time. We are facing a war that terrorism has brought to us. The goal of terrorists is to instill fear and panic. And France is a great country, and a great democracy that will not allow itself to be destabilized.”
Twitter Outcry at Yet “Another” Terrorist Attack in France
An outpouring on Twitter quickly ensued with world leaders, such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, offering their own sentiments:
Canadians are shocked by tonight’s attack in Nice. Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 14, 2016
Some politicians, most notably US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, took the opportunity to point out the growing unrest:
Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2016
Celebrities were also quick to offer their opinions, some calling for retaliation of sorts. Piers Morgan, political pundit and celebrity personality had this to say:
I’m done with tears, prayers & hashtags. It’s time to go hard after ISIS & its murderous disciples. https://t.co/OBCkOn4I2T#NiceAttack
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 15, 2016
Muslims also condemned the attack as well, showing that these attacks are not representative of all the faith’s followers, but rather a small group of misguided radicals:
I’m a Muslim.I grew up learning Allah will dislike me if I hurt someone’s FEELINGS or killed an ANT. What Islam u talking about? #NiceAttack
— Komal Shahid. (@ArmedWithWords) July 15, 2016
Many are in a state of confusion, feeling helpless.
how do u go to war against a perception? an idea? against mental illness? because panic, xenophobia, and weapons aren’t working. #NiceAttack
— Keith B. Still (@NaYaKnoMi) July 15, 2016
No matter who you are, the horrific images captured by amateur photographers will tear at the heart. Broken bodies strewn along the promenade are a deadly reminder the hate the exists.
