Secretary of State John Kerry was in France Friday to remember the victims of the attack on Charlie Hebdo and offer his personal condolences to French President Francois Hollande.
“I think you know that you have the full and heartfelt condolences of the American people and I know you know that we share the pain and the horror of everything that you went through,” Kerry told Hollande.
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Accompanying Kerry was American musician James Taylor, who played “You’ve Got a Friend” before a gathering that included survivors, family members of victims, and members of the police and municipal government who responded to the attacks, according to the AP.
The gesture — as well as a public embrace of Hollande before the cameras — reflected Kerry’s mission in the country to demonstrate unity with the French people.
“I really wanted to come here and share a hug with all of Paris and all friends,” Kerry said.
The visit comes after the Obama administration was roundly criticized for not sending at least a cabinet-level official to demonstrations in Paris last weekend that were attended by more than 40 world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
