Plan for ‘annual day of unity’

JANUARY 11 could become an annual “day of national unity in the fight against terrorism” in France, if a bill put forward by a group of UMP MPs is adopted.

The date was chosen as it marks the anniversary of a series of “unity marches” across France in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris earlier this year.

The bill proposes that schools devote part of the day "to presentations and discussions on the fight against terrorism".

Deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône Bernard Reynes, whose proposal has the backing of 30 party colleagues, said that January 11 should be remembered, “not as the end of three days the France in which was scared, but as the beginning of an awareness. An awareness that forces us to act today, to respond effectively and decisively to ensure that such acts do not recur."

Twelve people, including two police officers died when Chérif and Saïd Kouachi stormed the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on January 7. Three days later, four hostages were killed in a siege at a Jewish superstore in Vincennes.

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Photo: JeSuisGodefroyTroude