CRI听力:Massive Unity Rallies Held in France after Terror Attacks

Officials say it was the largest demonstration in French history, with turnout across the country estimated to be at least 3.7 million, with nearly half of that total gathering in Paris.

French news media say more people showed up in the capital than those who took to Paris streets when the Allies liberated the city from the Nazis in World War II.

"We must remember this day in the future. It's encouraging to see the reaction of the French people after this violation of freedom, because it really is a violation of freedom."

"A gathering like this is historic and this must continue in order to uphold freedom of speech for the world and for all people."

Families of the victims, holding each other for support, marched in the front with journalists working for the Charlie Hebdo newspaper.

Their arms linked, more than 40 world leaders headed the somber procession.

Among them was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I marched in one line with leaders of the world to unite against terrorism. I told them the fight against terror, all terror, must be a war to the bitter end."

Netanyahu marched with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas while Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were also among the leaders-- setting aside their differences for a demonstration that French President Francois Hollande said turned the city into "the capital of the world."

Other leaders included British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Similar rallies were also held in major cities around the world, including London, New York, Cairo, Sydney and Tokyo.

In Berlin, police say at least 18,000 people joined a solidarity march.

"I am really delighted to see the solidarity here in Berlin and I think that it's very important that we are here together."

The three days of terror began Wednesday when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi stormed the newsroom of Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people including two police officers.

On Thursday, police said another gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, killed a policewoman and the next day he seized hostages at a kosher store in Paris while the Kouachi brothers were in a standoff with police at a printing plant near Charles de Gaulle airport.

It all ended at dusk Friday with raids that left all three gunmen dead.

Four hostages at the market were also killed.

Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen said it directed the attack to avenge the honor of the Prophet Muhammad, a frequent target of Charlie Hebdo.

The violence has torn deep into France's sense of wellbeing in a way some compared to Sept. 11 in the United States.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.