Thoughts On Freedom

 

As I was looking into my photos of my trip to Paris last October, I came across my photographs along Rue Bonaparte on the Left Bank, 6th Arrondissement of Paris. This part of Rue Bonaparte  between the Jardin de Luxembourg and Place Saint Sulpice are lined with the traditional Parisian Bookstores that sell all kinds of French books and also several Publishing and Editorial Offices.

As I walked along, I was intrigued by this ancient sign on the wall indicating this date 29 Juillet 1881. Upon my research, it turned out to be the Law on Freedom of the Press of 29 July 1881, commonly known in French as Loi sur la liberté de la presse du 29 Juillet 1881. This is the Press Law in France which defined the freedoms and responsibilities of the media and publishers in France.

 These photos are now meaningful with the recent events in Paris. Our freedom of the press and speech were attacked by extremists in Paris last week. Our societies in the Western World have established Press Laws which honour the freedom of the Press and Speech. We are aware that those who break the law will be punished. The  French showed the World during the Unity rally last Sunday in Paris, that they are brave and encourages us to continue the fight for our freedoms that our ancestors have fought for many centuries ago. We are not afraid. #JeSuisCharlie.

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