Paris attacks: Ottawa City Hall flies French flag
Multiple gatherings planned after bloody rampage kills more than 120
The French flag will fly in front of Ottawa City Hall's heritage building for the next three days after more than 120 people died in a series of attacks in Paris on Friday.
Mayor Jim Watson made the announcement Saturday morning on Twitter:
In solidarity with the people of France I have ordered the French flag to be flown for three days at City hall
—@JimWatsonOttawaThe Canadian flag is also flying at half-mast over Parliament Hill, while at Gatineau City Hall the city, provincial, and Canadian flags have all been lowered.
Meanwhile, the National Arts Centre is planning a musical tribute to the people of Paris tonight:
NAC Orchestra will perform the national anthem of France, La Marseillaise tonight to open our concert. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris?src=hash">#Paris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@backstagerosieGatherings, vigils planned
Gunmen targeted Paris cafés, detonated suicide bombs near France's national stadium and killed hostages inside the Bataclan concert hall.
In addition to the deaths, more than 200 people have been injured, dozens critically.
In Ottawa, people have been leaving flowers at the French Embassy on Sussex Drive, and several groups are expected to bring candles and gather at the park beside the embassy at 5 p.m. this afternoon.
A vigil is being planned for noon Sunday at Nepean Point near the National Art Gallery, said Charles Romero, president of the Association France Ottawa.
Romero was watching Friday's friendly soccer match between France and Germany — which French President François Hollande was reportedly attending — when the attacks broke out.
"I heard the news and I just stopped whatever I was doing at that time. I went back home to get some information to send messages to my family in Paris," said Romero.
Romero said he was able to reach his family and confirm they were safe.