Vigil for Paris and Beirut held in St. John's

Nearly 100 people gathered at the War Memorial in St. John's Sunday to light candles, sing songsand show support to the people ofParis and Beirut.

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The vigil was organized by St-Pierre-Miquelon native Stephanie Bowring, who said she felt she needed to do something after hearing of the attacks.

"I'm from St. Pierre, and I lived the past 10 years in Paris, so this really hit close to home," saidBowring.

Bowring said a friend of herswas killed in the attack at Le Bataclan concert hall in Paris on Friday.

"Even without that, it's an attack, yet again on our liberty. They want to spread terror and we can't let that happen," saysBowring.

WhileBowring'spersonal connection is toParis, shestressed that the vigil Sunday was also in solidarity with the people of Beirut.

• Suicide blasts kill 43 in Hezbollah area of Beirut suburb, ISIS claims responsibility

On Thursday, Beirut was the victim of a double-suicide attack by ISIS that left 43 dead.

Far in distance, but not fromthoughts

Bowring said despite the distance, people in thisprovince can still show their support for those in Paris and Beirut.

"Newfoundlanders are people who have fought for freedom," she said.

"They've always shown how determined they could be, so the turnout today is proof of that."

At the rally,visitors laid flowers and made signsto paytheir respects to those who lost their lives.

Bowring said it was a show of resilience and determination in light of the events in Paris and Beirut this past week.

"We have to celebrate our culture, our freedom, and our lifestyle,"saysBowring.

"The goal of terrorism is to spread terror, so if we become afraid and stop living to the fullest, we cave in and they've won."