Evan Minniti, staff writer
The recent terrorist attacks that the Islamic State carried out in France, which claimed the lives of 137 people, has sent shock waves across the international community. Even, here in the United States, French students and Americans learning to speak French have been affected. Many people have added the tricolour flag of the French Republic over their Facebook profile pictures.
On Nov. 13, eight Islamic State terrorists, using explosive belts and assault rifles, killed 137 Parisians. In addition to the suicide bombings and shootings, dozens of Parisians were taken hostage in the historical Bataclan theatre, and during a police raid, the terrorists detonated their explosive belts killing 89 people. The extremely cruel nature of the attack has emotionally affected people across the world, even here at Beverly, and made many fear for their safety.

“I think that the attack on Paris really opened the western world’s eyes…how we are not safe [terrorism]…It’s not just happening in the Middle East. It can happen anywhere,” sophomore Ben Dillard said
French exchange student, junior Mickael Zaoui, recalled his shock upon hearing of the attacks.
“When I saw it on TV, I was here…I called all of my friends in Paris to make sure they were okay. And they all tell me that [they were confused]… and they were waiting for news. It was horrible, absolutely horrible,” Zaoui said.
Zaoui talked about how undescribable the attack was for him.
“It was a crime against humanity…It was [an attack] on all of France… I don’t think there is a word to describe it,” Zaoui said.

French Senior Lilou Pejardim Royer believes that there must be stronger security measures against terrorists who may be hiding among the refugee population coming into Europe.
“I think that France should take stronger measures [against terrorists hiding amongst refugees]…the security must unfortunately be stricter to protect France,” Pejardim Royer said.
Tom Parisot, a French sophomore, was vocal in the sadness the event caused for him.
“I’m very sad, first of all. I feel very bad for all the people whose lives were lost  in the terrorist attack,” Parisot said.
Parisot pointed out how the attack could affect racial tensions, not only in France but in other western or European nations.
“A lot of racist issues have come up with this too, and it will make a very big problem not only in France but also Europe, and even America.”
Parisot seems to be correct, as the far-right National Front has used the attack to stir support.

See the rest of this package:

“Beverly students #PrayForParis on social media” by Keith Stone

“Normans react to global rash of terrorist attacks” by Nirav Desai