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."
"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.
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."
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.
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.
