Memorial For Paris Attack Victims Grows Outside French Consulate On Upper East Side
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New Yorkers are paying their respects to the victims of last week's attacks in Paris at a makeshift memorial that continues to grow at the French consulate on the Upper East Side.
NYPD officers are standing guard outside the consulate on Fifth Avenue as hundreds have stopped at the mounting sidewalk shrine of flowers, hand-written notes and candles.
"We just have to pray for the world because it's crazy," one woman told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck. "I'm so sad."
#NYPD officers standing guard outside the #French consulate on 5th Ave where people have been coming to pay tribute pic.twitter.com/8xReZTGAdy
— Janelle Burrell (@BurrellTV) November 16, 2015
"I think we're all vulnerable and it's a terrible time in this world," another man said.
"We all need time to process it and what it means for all of our futures, for our humanity," said another.
Thank you very much to all who come to the consulate to mourn with us. pic.twitter.com/oxHJM02dkM
— Consulate of France in New York (@franceinnyc) November 15, 2015
Inside the lobby, a condolence book sits on a small table. Members of the consulate told Schuck that New Yorkers are welcome to come in briefly and leave a message.
Among those who have signed the book was Mayor Bill de Blasio, who wrote in part that "New York City stands in solidarity with Paris."
NYC Mayor @BilldeBlasio pays tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks at the Consulate #NYCisParis pic.twitter.com/hjs0fYM7q4
— Consulate of France in New York (@franceinnyc) November 14, 2015
Consulate members, who are still in a three-day period of mourning, said they are grateful for the outpouring of support.
A heartfelt ceremony was also held for the people of Paris at the 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero.
Under a tight blanket of security -- fittingly near the survivor tree of the memorial -- several hundred people, many with flags and flowers supported the city of lights in it's darkest hour, CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported.
As the French national anthem was played following a moment of silence, flowers were placed poignantly at the foot of the survivor tree, amid tears.
NYers showing solidarity with #Paris at 9/11 Memorial and Survivor Tree. #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/2S7iaUH9gp
— Sonia Rincón (@SoniaRincon) November 16, 2015
For many, there was shared reaction to the tragedy and violence in Paris.
Leo Schwartz, who was at the memorial, said several of his friends in Paris were among the casualties.
"They were shot down," he said
"Today our hearts and minds, thoughts and prayers and love and affection or with the people of France," Joe Daniels, president of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, said.