The European Movement International praises the success of yesterday’s peaceful marches in Paris and all over France and Europe that showed a strong signal of unity for European values.

The Movement condemns the series of terrorist attacks perpetrated in defiance of these values, namely freedom of expression and acceptance of diversity. It is these liberties that must now be upheld, and any temptation to use these attacks as an excuse to give strength to nationalist, protectionist, or anti-immigration discourses must be resisted.

Instead, the opportunity should be seized to rally all citizens and the European institutions around shared values, such as freedom of opinion and the rule of law, that are also at the core of the European project.

Jo Leinen, President, European Movement International (EMI), said: “Yesterday hundreds of thousands of people as well as numerous political leaders showed on the streets of Paris what really unites us in Europe and sent a strong message. The core of the European project is not the common market. The soul of Europe is our freedoms and our fundamental values. We will not give in to extremism and terrorism. We will defend our way of living in democratic and open societies.”

Notes to the Editors

1. The European Movement International(EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisations with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions. europeanmovement.eu

Media Contact

Alex Godson: +32 25 08 30 88 // +32 484 93 10 20 // Alex.Godson@europeanmovement.eu