On Friday, November 13, Paris was attacked by a series of bombings and gun violence. Today everyone mourns the death of those that lost their lives and attempt to recover from what everyone has been calling the worst violence France has seen since WWII. Many students, friends, and family members waited anxiously to hear from their loved ones in Paris,

“So what happened was I was messaging my best friend who lives in Paris and his best friend, a guy I know, was at the soccer game and he was stuck in there and his phone died and all that. It was pretty sketchy.” says Smoky Hill student, Arthur Bidan.

According to Fox 31 News, French authorities counted 128 dead and unfortunately, that number may get worse as many of them are in critical condition. 180 people were able to walk away away with their lives and several injuries, including some Americans.

Jean Jullien, a French illustrator, found his way through these gruesome attacks to create a symbol of hope. He drew the Eiffel Tower sitting in a ring, which created the image of a peace sign. “This is the first thing I drew. I can think of anything else to say.”  Jullien told Fox News.

Along with this image making its way all over social media, a popular hashtag (#prayforparis), has surfaced. The hashtag is full of prayers and condolences from the American people and words of strength and perseverance from the people of France.

ISIS has claimed responsibility and the president of France, François Hollande, retaliates by taking these attacks as an act of war,

“Honestly people like that disgust me both because of the horrors they do and because of the image they show of Islam and of Muslim people and of the people that truly believe in their religion. And I also think its wrong the fact that they’re attacking innocent people and hundreds of people die,” Bidan said. “Disgusted, is the word. That’s what I am, shocked and disgusted.”