129 killed and 350 wounded in ISIS attacks
Kendra Brown
MC Contributor/Staff Writer
People all over the world are still reeling from the news of the bombings in Paris, which occurred on Nov. 13. So far, 129 people are confirmed killed and 350 were wounded in the terrorist attacks that have victims from at least 19 nations. The al Qaeda faction, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
As evidenced by the many countries affected by these events, this tragedy has touched people in all parts of the world, including students at Jackson State University.
“I was just in Paris almost two summers ago and immediately began to think about how I could have been a part of those numbers,” said Tyvarras Lindsey, a sophomore mass communication major from Kosciusko, Miss. “I am truly blessed to have not been there, and I am praying for the ones who were. I also hope and pray that this traumatic event will open the eyes of our government to amplify security here in America.”
Jarielle Gibson, a freshman theatre major from Natchez, Miss. was also shocked to hear news of the terrorist attacks.
“I was really hurt and it honestly took me by surprise. I was backstage at the “Wine in the Wilderness” production when one of my cast members informed me about the attacks. I then proceeded to inform my snapchat followers about the disaster and asked for their prayers,” said Gibson.
Jordan Darensbourg expressed frustration that these events keep occurring.
“It was a terrible act of violence and there is no excuse for what ISIS did,” said the senior meteorology major from Smyrna, Ga. “There were several shootings and bombings that took place and I never thought something like this could happen in the western world especially after 9/11. So as a university, we should stand with Paris as they did with our country during our terrorist attacks of 9/11.”
Jean Santos, a JSU exchange student from Belem, Brazil majoring in English education, believes Syrian refugees will now become victimized by the ramifications of these attacks.
“Innocent people died in this attack and families were destroyed. It makes me think of how many refugees will be discriminated against now. They are running away from war, but some people will not trust them. I also worried for my Brazilian friends who are doing research in France. After the attack to Paris, I started looking for information about Syria’s conflict and I could perceive that this is a conflict bigger than TV is showing,” said Santos.
According to Associated Press reports, raids on Nov. 17 by French police across France have resulted in 25 arrests and the seizure of 34 weapons.
The arrests are the latest in a nationwide police dragnet that has seen nightly raids by security forces under powers granted by the state of emergency declared after last week’s attacks in Paris.
In all, French police have carried out 414 raids and made 60 arrests while seizing 75 weapons since Nov. 13. The captured armory includes 11 military-style firearms, 33 rifles and 31 handguns. In addition to dozens of arrests, 118 more people have been placed under house arrest in another of the new powers permitted under France’s state of emergency.
Parliament is expected to extend the state of emergency for three months later this week.
The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution condemning the attacks in Paris and pledging to stand in solidarity with France.
The resolution approved Monday also pledges to help France “pursue justice against those involved in these heinous attacks.”
The resolution was authored by Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Ben Cardin of Maryland, the Republican chairman and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was co-sponsored by all 100 members of the Senate.
Mississippi’s Gov. Phil Bryant is joining several other governors in saying they want to block the federal government from putting any Syrian refugees in their states.
However, Lavinia Limon, president and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigration, said states have no legal authority to block refugees from being resettled in their communities.
Associated Press Reports were used in the writing of this story.
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