Hundreds Hold San Francisco Vigil To Condemn Paris Killings

(AP) - Hundreds of people are holding pens, tiny French flags and signs that read "I am Charlie" up in the air outside the French Consulate in San Francisco to condemn the killings of 12 people in an attack against a French satirical newspaper in Paris.

A handful of participants in the Wednesday night vigil in San Francisco's financial district are lighting candles that spell out "Je Suis Charlie," while others deposit bouquets of white carnations and red roses or leave pens by the consulate's door.

Many of those present are French citizens and they are chanting slogans in support of freedom of expression. The crowd also sang the French anthem, "La Marseillaise."

Julia Olson of Nimes, in southern France, says she wanted to be with people "to share the pain."