France: Man Runs Down 10 People With Car: Screams "Allahu Akhbar"

l’Île d’Oléron

On Wednesday morning, on the island of l’Île d’Oléron, a French island off the Atlantic coast of France, due west of Roquefort, a man identified as Jean Guillot, 35, deliberately drove his vehicle into about 10 pedestrians and bicyclists, injuring about 5 people. He then set fire to his car and fled on foot before being captured by police, who reportedly had to taser him. It is widely reported that during the rampage and during his arrest, the suspect yelled, "Allahu Akhbar".

Guillot, who is identified in some press accounts only as Jean G., reportedly has a history of drug and alcohol abuse. According to various press outlets, he has a minor criminal record, but was not known to French intelligence agencies as someone who was radicalized. However, Le Figaro is reporting that Guillot told police that he had been searching for "spiritual answers", had "discovered Islam", and that "Allah had entrusted him with a mission".

At this stage, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office is monitoring developments in the case as police continue to investigate the apparent jihadist motivation.

The article below from Le Figaro is partially translated by Fousesquawk. Note that the article is only partuially translated since the remainder is under a subscriber block.

  

Oléron: In custody, the attacker stated that he had recently discovered Islam and that Allah had entrusted him with a mission

By Jean Chichizola and Fabien Paillot

2 hours ago

Caption: members of forensic police inspecting the car of the suspect, who set it on fire before fleeing on foot

Info Le Figaro- Arrested after his deadly path with his car as a battering ram that produced 5 injured, the suspect explained that he had been searching for spiritual answers.

Over 10 years ago, far from l’Île d’Oléron , the spokesman for Daech (ISIS) issued a call that sadly became famous: "Isolate the American infidel, the French infidel, or any of their allies (...) run them down with your car." And one thing is already certain: Whatever his motivations are, terrorist, psychiatric, or pertaining to the category of common law of "Islamist-inspired crimes and offenses", this call was followed to the letter on Wednesday morning by the perpetrator of the deadly rampage on this Atlantic island, more known for its ocean splendors than for jihadist connections. A premeditated attack perpetrated by a determined man.  

The facts, described by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who went to the scene, are terrifying. Wednesday morning, Jean G., born in 1990 and of French nationality, left his residence, a mobile home located in La Cotinière, on the western coast of the island. He..........(Subscriber block).

France: Life Without Parole for Murderer of 12-Year-Old Lola

Lola

Earlier this month, the trial of Dahbia Benkired, a 27-year-old Algerian woman, began in Paris. She was charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting, torturing, and ultimately murdering a 12-year-old girl, whom all of France has come to know as Lola.

On October 24, Benkired was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. She is the first woman in French history to be sentenced to life without parole.

In the article below from Le Parisien, it is now reported that Benkired will not appeal the sentence. The article is translated by Fousesquawk. The article also contains a short video of Lola's brother and mother making a statement following the verdict. We are working to add English subtitles to that video.

"She wishes that we don't talk about her anymore": Dahbia Benkired will not appeal her conviction for the death of Lola

Dahbia Benkired was sentenced by the Criminal Court of Paris on October 24 to life imprisonment without (the possibility) of parole for the murder and rape of Lola, 12, in October 2022.

-By Le Parisien

November 4, 2025 at 09:44. updated November 4, 2025 at 11:59

Caption: Dahbia Benkired, 27, was sentenced in late October in Paris for the rape and gruesome murder of Lola, a 12-year-old schoolgirl.

There will not be a second trial. Dahbia Benkired, sentenced to the maximum punishment provided by the penal code for the murder of Lola, did not appeal the decision rendered on October 24 by the Criminal Court of Paris, her defense counsel, Attorney Alexandre Valois, informed Le Parisien. 

The other defense counsel for Dahbia Benkired, Attorney Lucile Berier, also stated that, "Our client decided not to file an appeal for her own personal reasons. Her decision was made a long time ago, but we could not communicate that," she continues, "because she had the right to change her mind up to the last moment given the sentence pronounced. She now wishes that we no longer talk about her." 

"We believed in justice, and we got it"

Dahbia Benkired, 27, had been found guilty of rape, acts of torture, barbarities, and the murder of Lola and had been sentenced on October 24 to life imprisonment without the (possibility) of parole. 

"This is a just decision. We have restored the memory, the truth of this young girl," Clotilde Lepetit, attorney for Lola's family, declared.  "Justice will allow us to go forward. The punishment is equal to the immensity of the crime committed."

"We got what we wanted, we restored the memory of my sister, we restored the truth. Thank you to the justice system, (and) we are happy with the response we have received," Thibault Daviet, Lola's brother, reacted after the announcement of the verdict. "Even if this does not bring our Lola back to us," her mother, Delphine Daviet, concluded in tears. "Thank you to all for the support. We believed in justice, and we got it."

Lola, 12, was found dead in Paris on October 14, 2022, a few hours after her parents reported her disappearance. Her corpse, sexually violated, had been enclosed in a trunk, abandoned in the courtyard of her apartment building.

Germany: Syrian Refugee Arrested in Berlin for Planning Terror Attack

In 2015, then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in response to the Syrian civil war, opened the floodgates to her country to Syrian "refugees", predominantly unaccompanied single men in their 20s. Today, there are an estimated 1 million Syrians in Germany alone. Merkel also took the lead in persuading other EU countries to admit refugees. Her now widely mocked statement at the time was, "Wir schaffen dass" (We can do this). However, the results in terms of crime, terrorism, rapes, murders, social division, and social welfare costs have been catastrophic.

"Wir schaffen dass"

This week, German police in Berlin arrested a 22-year-old Syrian asylum-seeker identified only as  Abdallah R., after he was found stockpiling explosive devices and calling for the murder of non-Muslims on social media.

The article below from the conservative German site, PI (Politically Incorrect), is translated by Fousesquawk. 

Berlin-Neukölln: Interesting details about the Syrian terrorist, Abdallah R.

November 3, 2025

Caption: Arrest with large police deployment and select press. How many ideological sympathizers of the Syrian suspect are walking around free?

By Manfred Rouhs- The Berlin State Criminal Police consider the arrest of the 22-year-old Syrian terror suspect, Abdallah R., as an important investigative success. Indeed, the seized material for explosive devices suggests that the terror suspect could have caused heavy damage had the police not been on his trail. The case, however, sheds light on the state of the German asylum system as well. 

Since September 2023, the Syrian had enjoyed subsidized protection in Germany. That means he was not entitled to asylum, but nevertheless was not deported for the purpose of protecting him from harm in his country of origin. All these facts were based on his own statements, and he apparently handled this quite well and was also probably well advised. Neither his jihadist beliefs nor his intentions in Germany came out in the asylum proceedings.

The investigators only became aware of Abdallah R. because he was disseminating so-called "Nashids" of the Islamic State on social media, as the Morgenpost reports. Those are religious battle songs, in which the murder of "unbelievers" is called for. After that, he was placed under surveillance and was found to be stockpiling explosive materials in 3 different Berlin apartments, the rent of which was paid by German taxpayers. That led to the raid.

How many of these types are still living in Germany? How do we deal with them if they themselves don't show their beliefs through online postings, but rather remain inconspicuous?

Christmas is approaching, and with it, possibly, the next series of attacks. That is not a good advertisement for strolling through pedestrian zones and through Christmas markets. It is frightening that we cannot get rid of Abdallah R.'s brothers in spirit quickly enough to restore safe conditions in Germany.

Niger: American Missionary Believed Kidnapped by Islamic Terrorists

Grand Mosque, Niamey, Niger

An American missionary has been kidnapped in the African country of Niger. The man was reportedly abducted during the night of October 21-22 by three armed men from his residence in the capital city of Niamey. It is suspected that the kidnappers are part of an Islamic terror group, possibly affiliated with Al Qaida or ISIS.

The article below from the French-language newspaper Actu Niger is translated by Fousesquawk.

American national kidnapped from a residential quarter

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 16:32

During the night from Tuesday, 21 October to Wednesday, 22 October, an American national was kidnapped from his residence in the Château 1 quarter in the center of the capital of Niger. The man, identified as Kevin R., a humanitarian pilot, aged 48, was working for an Evangelical mission operating in Niger. According to initial information gathered by security sources, at about 2:30 am, three armed men broke into the pilot's residence, located only a few hundred meters from the presidential palace and the Grand Hotel Bravia-a zone reputed to be among the most secure in the country. The attackers abducted their victim before disappearing without leaving a trace. 

The motivations and the identity of the kidnappers remain unknown. No claim of responsibility has been made as of now. The Niger security forces were immediately deployed, while the services charged with the protection of foreign nationals are coordinating the searches. A diplomatic source suggests the possibility that the kidnappers are headed to the border with Mali, a zone known for the presence of armed groups and traffickers.

The kidnapped man is reportedly affiliated with the Evangelical Christian organization, SIM (International Missionary Society), active for several years in Niger. The NGO is involved notably in the domains of health, education, and access to potable water, often in vulnerable regions.

This kidnapping in the very heart of Niamey brings to mind a painful memory: That of the two young Frenchmen kidnapped in 2011 from the Le Toulousain restaurant, also in the capital, by elements of Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI). The two hostages were killed during a rescue operation.

In these past years, kidnappings of foreigners have multiplied in Niger, particularly in the north and west of the country. Last April, a Swiss woman and an Austrian woman were captured at Agadez, while 5 Indian travelers were taken hostage in the Tillaberi region. These areas are regularly targeted by groups tied to the Islamic State in Sahel (EIS) or the Group of Support to Islam and Muslims (GSIM).

-Ibrahim Issa (actuniger.com)

 

Germany: Afghan Man Accused of Trying to Poison His 3-Year-Old Daughter

In Landshut, Germany, a 28-year-old Afghan man is on trial for allegedly trying to poison his 3-year-old daughter with mouse poison. The father, who is separated from the mother, allegedly wanted to kill his daughter in order to get out of support payments. He allegedly put a seal containing the poison into her mouth just before turning her over to her mother. The child then reportedly vomited the seal, was taken to a hospital and survived.

The article below from PNP (Bavaria) is translated by Fousesquawk.n

Poisoning trial

Father on trial for murder attempt on 3-year-old daughter

October 15, 2025

Caption: Beginning of trial for attempted murder. The 28-year-old speaks with his defense lawyer, Andre Miegel, in the courtroom of the Landshut District Court.

A father allegedly attempted to kill his daughter with mouse poison. In the court, his defense attorney disputes the accusation. As the State Prosecutor's Office sees the case.

A 28-year-old is facing attempted murder charges against his 3-year-old daughter with mouse poison in the Landshut District Court. At the start of the trial, the defendant's lawyer declared that the accusation would be rejected in its entirety.

In the view of the prosecutor's office, the accused father wanted to avoid support payments for the daughter through the planned murder. "He uninhibitedly and ruthlessly sought profit at any price, including a human life," states the indictment, which accuses the man of greed and treachery. 

Girl reportedly swallowed  the seal  with poison

According to the prosecutors, the man, who was separated from the child's mother, had planned the crime for at least a month at the end of 2024. He allegedly considered different options for the murder.

The father then allegedly put a plastic seal filled with aluminum phosphide in the child's mouth. The substance is an over-the-counter poison to control mice.

Did the father try to pin the attempted murder on the mother?

The prosecution believes that the accused Afghan wanted to pin the blame for the crime on the mother. Therefore, he turned the daughter over to the mother after she had swallowed the poison seal and was still alive. According to the indictment, the child then vomited the seal in the presence of the mother. The police later confiscated the poison package.

The child was immediately taken to the children's hospital. She survived the alleged attack without further health consequences.

Several more days are scheduled for the trial. The verdict is expected at the beginning of November.

Wacko College Courses (2)

This is the second in our series of "Wacko College Courses".

City University of New York reportedly offered a course on Antifa, and from its description, it is hardly critical. Campus Reform has the report here.

"According to the course description, the seminar was based on “the premise that racialized and colonized peoples have been at the forefront of theorizing, challenging, and dismantling fascism, white supremacy, and other modes of authoritarian rule over the last century.”

"The course covered topics such as “antifascist traditions,” “racial justice,' 'anti-imperialist movements,” “intersectional feminism,” and “contradictions of capitalism.”

I think you get the idea.

Keep in mind that CUNY suffered its share of unrest in support of Hamas post October 7.

Not far away at the University of Connecticut, administrators are trying to decide if they should keep a mandatory course on "anti-black racism" though it may violate new Dept. of Justice guidelines regarding federal funding of schools that continue to teach DEI. Campus Reform has the story here.

At the University of North Georgia, a student has complained that she had to pay about $100 for a textbook in her International Public Relations class, in which the book describes Christianity as "a white supremacist group". The College Fix has the report here.

"The textbook is “International Public Relations: Negotiating Culture, Identity, and Power,” published in 2007 by authors Thomas Gaither of Elon University and Patricia Curtin of the University of Oregon." 

Meanwhile at Harvard, which is supposed to be our most prestigious university, has a class on prominent black women in politics. Sounds benign enough, but apparently, black conservative women are omitted altogether. The College Fix article can be read here.

And just a few miles away at Northeastern University (Massachusetts), the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center is hosting a sexual liberation/anti-fascist dance party, where the little rascals can let their hair down and even pick up a few sex resource goodies as well. Campus Reform has the report here.

Portugal: Parliament Votes in Favor of a Bill to Ban Burkas in Public Spaces

The Portuguese Parliament has passed a bill, proposed by the conservative Chega party that would ban burkas in public spaces, with some exceptions. The below article from Correio da Manhã is translated by Fousesquawk.

Parliament approves ban on burka in public spaces in Portugal.

The bill bans "clothes designed to hide the face". Chega made the proposal and the right approved.

October 17, 2025 at 12:41

The Parliament approved the ban on burkas in public spaces in Portugal. Chega had the support of the PSD, Liberal Initiative, and the CDS. The PS, Livre, PCP and Left Bloc voted against. PAN and JPP abstained.

With this bill, Chega proposes that it be "banned to use clothing designed to hide or block the showing of the face" in public speace, with some exceptions. At the opening of the debate, the leader of Chega specified that that objective is to ban women from wearing the burka in Portugal, and addressed immigrants in particular. The bill will now be discussed by the Parliamentary Commission on Constitutional Issues, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees.

"It is forbidden to force someone to hide their face for motives of gender or religion". The proposed penaties are fines that range from 200 to 4,000 euros. 

The bill also states that "the ban does not apply to airplanes or in diplomatic and consular facilities, and that faces can also be covered in religious places and other sacred locations, or for reasons of health.

Andre Ventura stated that a woman "forced to wear the burka is no longer free and independent, (but) becomes an object," and accused the left of hypocrisy for defending women's rights, but accepting a "culture that oppresses them".

The president of Chega pointed out that "various European countries are already moving toward banning burkas in public spaces," and pointed out that the European Court of Human Rights had decided that the French law in this respect was not contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. 

At the conclusion of the debate, Madalena Cordeiro, also from Chega, stated from the podium that, "This is not Bangladesh, where you can do whatever you want". The deputy stated further, "Enough pretending that all cultures are equal". 

ll

France: Lola Murder Trial Begins

Lola-the victim

Three years ago, we reported on the abduction, rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola in Paris. The accused killer is an Algerian woman in her 20s named Dahbia Benkired, who, at the time, was under an order to leave French territory.

This week, the trial of Benkired opened in Paris. The article below from Europe 1 (France) is translated by Fousesquawk.

The murder of Lola: The family, in tears, confronts the defendant- Dahbia Benkired asks for forgiveness.

-Jean-Baptiste Marty

October 17, 2025, at 16:02-Updated October 17, 2025, at 23:57

Three years after the murder of the 12-year-old girl, the trial of Dahbia Benkired opened Friday at the Palace of Justice in Paris. The family of Lola, in tears, confronted the defendant for the first time, who offered a half-hearted apology.

Three years ago, the death of Lola, a 12-year-old girl, discovered in a suitcase in the rear courtyard of her apartment building in Paris, after having been tortured and raped, sparked widespread emotion across France.

The trial of the defendant, Dahbia Benkired, a 27-year-old Algerian, under an order to leave French territory at the time, opened at the Palace of Justice in Paris on Friday, October 17, and the first poignant moments were when Delphine Daviet, Lola's mother, and her older brother, Thibaut, approached the bar in tears.

They asked to address Dahbia Benkired in the name of the entire family. "We would like for you to tell the truth, and nothing but the whole truth," Thibaut said, his lips trembling.

Character examination

A decimated family, the emotion is very, very strong. Friday morning, about 20 of the family and friends arrived together, in a group, at the Palace of Justice in Paris. All were dressed in white t-shirts. On them, a picture of Lola, the young girl with blond hair and blue eyes.

In the dock, Dahbia Benkired, her hair tied back in a bun, her face puffy. She was able to speak for the first time on Friday morning and asked the family for forgiveness.

"It's her trial, so I think she is also expecting to get questions, to have the opportunity to answer them," said Attorney  Mathias Darmon, lawyer for the Innocence in Danger Association, a civil party ( to the trial). "And I hope she will have explanations to give us on the atrocities she may have committed."

The court first drew lots for the jurors who will participate in this trial. The hearing continued on Friday with the character examination of Dahbia Benkired.

A drug addicted past

She says half-heartedly to the court, "I ask for forgiveness, it is horrible what I did, and I regret it," she tries to apologize. Later during the hearing, the president of the court asks her about her drug addicted past. "I smoked a lot, I lost count. It could have been more than 20 joints a day. I stopped for a while, but I started again the week before the incident," she explains.

On the television screens, the body of Lola is projected. One can see the young girl, completely nude, curled up in the trunk with gray tape across her face. Lola's mother, her brother, and some 20 relatives who are accompanying her, all dressed in white t-shirts emblazoned with the image of the young girl, leave the room in tears.

 Dagbia Benkired, a blank stare fixed on the screens, her face showing no emotion. The verdict is expected on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Anti-Semitism in Sweden: Another Black Eye for Malmö

This article first appeared in New English Review. 

Malmö, Sweden

Malmö, the third-largest city in Sweden, has a long history with its Jewish community. Two hundred and fifty years, in fact, which was scheduled to be celebrated with a Jewish film festival from October 29 to November 2, sponsored by Jewish International Film Festivals (JIFF). The festival had nothing to do with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, just films about Jewish life. Unfortunately, due to hostility toward Jews in the city, mostly due to the sizable Muslim population, about 25%, and fears of violence, the organizers have been unable to find a venue that would host the event. Thus, it appears the event will not take place. Over the past 250 years, the last several have not been good years for the Jewish community. This forced cancellation merely represents the latest chapter.

Much of Malmö's Jewish population is composed of descendants of those Jews who escaped from Denmark during the Nazi occupation in World War 2. In recent years, many members of that community have left the city or even the country due to rising tensions with the exploding Muslim community. In March 2009, a Davis Cup tennis match between Israel and Sweden had to be played in an empty stadium in the city, as pro-Palestinian protesters rioted and battled with police. Then-Malmö mayor, Ilmar Reepalu, was openly hostile to the Jewish community. His attitude, publicly expressed, was that if Jews who supported Israel were afraid for their safety, they were welcome to leave. As stated above, many have taken his advice.

To be fair, both the city and the Skåne region, where Malmö is located, had allocated funding for the film festival, but no suitable venue was willing to host the event, citing security concerns as a reason. There could be little doubt that the event would draw protesters and likely violence as well. The police, however, were ready and willing to provide the necessary security.

So once again, we see a European country caving in to the threat of a protest and/or violence from members of one city's restive Muslim population, which, when not harassing Jews, is committing all manner of violent crimes and periodically erupting in riots. (To be accurate, there is also the Antifa factor.) As in most Western European countries, a long-standing Jewish community is under threat of imported anti-Semitism from a recent immigrant community that has brought a centuries-old hatred of Jews with them, while the host country refuses to stand behind its Jewish fellow citizens and allow them the same rights and security as everyone else. In the case of Malmö itself, we have a city that distinguished itself as a haven for persecuted Jews in World War 2, but has, seemingly, lost its own sense of history.

My own opinion is that Europe has cynically calculated that the Muslims outnumber the Jews, and that the former are willing to resort to violence while the latter are not. Thus, the Jews are considered to be an "inconvenient" presence. While it is true that the city itself has tried to do the right thing by supporting the festival, it still constitutes an embarrassment that no facility, public or private, is willing to show films simply about Jewish people.

 

Sweden: Jewish Film Festival in Malmö Canceled for Security Reasons

A planned Jewish film festival to be held in Malmö Sweden, has had to be canceled due to security concerns. No theater in the city was willing to host the festival out of concern over protests or worse. The city is approximately 25% Muslim and has seen much unrest, violence, and anti-Israel agitation over the years. The once vibrant Jewish community has dwindled over the years due to safety concerns, and a soccer match involving an Israeli team had to be played before an empty, closed-off stadium several years back.

The article below from SVT is translated by Fousesquawk. Later today, we should have an English-subtitled version of the video in the article available. 

*(Update- October 17, 2025): Here it is, courtesy of Gates of Vienna. Subtitling by Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes, and translation by Fousesquawk)

Caption: Sofia Nerbrand and Ola Tedin are forced to cancel the planned Jewish film festival this fall. No theater will step up.

Jewish film festival is canceled in Malmö - Theaters say no for security reasons

Updated today at 15:22.  Posted today at 10:45

There was supposed to be a festival for newly produced Jewish films. But the organizers have no venue in Malmö.

"No theater is willing to step up," says Ola Tedin, organizer of JIFF, Jewish International Film Festivals.

Commercial theaters in . have refused to host a Jewish film festival, for example, Panora, which is managed by a non-profit cultural association. 

"A couple of them refer to security reasons. They are worried that something will happen," says Ola Tedin.

The organizers pinned their hope on Folkets Hus (Public House) on Nobel Square in Malmö, where there is a theater hall, which has previously been used to show films. The venue was available on the dates, 29 November to 2 December, but management refused for security reasons.

"I can't understand what kind of security threat there is in showing Jewish films," says Ola Tedin.

"The police always used to be available and have offered to be outside the venue this time as well," says Sofia Nerbrand, who is also an initiator of the festival.

The festival has received 160,000 kronor from the city of Malmö and 50,000 from the region of  Skåne.

Filmstaden: "Not an easy decision"

Filmstaden confirms it refrained from renting out its theaters for the festival.

"It was not an easy decision, but we prioritize security for our employees," writes Irene Hernberg, PR- director for Filmstaden North.

Panora refers to the workload that has led the association to decide against new festivals and larger events.

SVT  News Skåne is seeking comment from the theaters and Folkets Hus.

Katie Porter's Latest Train Wreck

On October 14, California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter (D) sat for an interview with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo. This came in the wake of a series of damaging tapes that have emerged of Porter losing her temper during interviews and verbally abusing aides. The entire interview can be viewed here from Fox2Now.

If Porter thought she was repairing the damage from the above videos, she only made things worse. The major part of the interview was about those videos and whether Porter had the temperament to be governor. She admitted several times that she "could have handled things better," but kept reverting back to the usual political talking points about "fighting for California values".

Most damagingly, Laurenzo asked Porter 4 times whether Porter could assure her voters that there were no more damaging videotapes out there. All 4 times, Porter skirted the question, again reverting to the same talking points. Then Laurenzo asked Porter 3 times if she would employ the same tactic that Adam Schiff had used against her in the last senatorial race, in which Schiff effectively boxed her out of the primary race by building up the Republican candidate, Steve Garvey, before defeating him in the general election. All 3 times, Porter repeated the same talking points, not answering the question. 

I wish I could say that Porter's performance has destroyed her candidacy, but given the string of recent governors we have had here in California, God only knows. It's very unlikely a Republican candidate can win the governorship in California, and the other Democrat candidates are similarly unappealing. In short, the future does not look bright for California.

A Tribute to Charlie Kirk

Yesterday would have been Charlie Kirk's 32nd birthday. Yesterday was also marked by the posthumous presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award to Charlie, which President Trump presented to Charlie's widow, Erika. Here in Orange County, California, I was able to attend, along with my wife, an event last night paying tribute to Charlie. The event was sponsored by Protect Our Kids in concert with Turning Point USA. There were numerous speakers, including young representatives from local high schools who had started TPUSA chapters on their campuses. Many of the speakers had met Charlie or were personally acquainted with him. There were representatives of local Orange County school boards who decried the woke influence present in our schools and their efforts to combat the indoctrination of our children. 

It is instructive that this was not a public event, open to any and all. It was by special invitation, and care was taken not to announce it to the general public for security reasons. In all, there were about 450 people present, and security was tight. 

Why all the security? Isn't it obvious? After what happened to Charlie, coupled with other attacks happening around the nation, it was clear that to announce this to the general public would have invited loud protests, and worse yet, the danger of violence-deadly violence.

It was an emotional event, with the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, prayers, and appeals to the audience, especially young people, to emulate Charlie and not be silent.