The offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine, came under attack Wednesday, leaving 12 dead. In the aftermath, people of Paris, and others from around the world, took to social media to show support for the slain men and their fight for freedom of expression with the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie.

#JeSuisCharlie Trends: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Je Suis Charlie, which translates to “I am Charlie,” is a show of solidarity for Charlie Hebdo. With Twitter users around the world using the hashtag, it started to trend on the social media site in France and the United States along with #CharlieHebdo.

I stand with France. #JeSuisCharlie #YoSoyCharlie pic.twitter.com/pa2iXhsIdh

— Kris JeSuisCharlie (@rc_kris) January 9, 2015

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword: 28 Cartoonists Pay Tribute To The Victims https://t.co/sCErClvyOP #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/QnGhDJsjg0 — Paul Hutchinson FRAS (@PaulHutchinson) January 9, 2015

Twitter office pastes up the #JeSuisCharlie hashtag on their wall pic.twitter.com/nJqUwSjAD8

— Cyrano Nymous (@CyranoNymous) January 9, 2015

On Facebook, a Je Suis Charlie page has more than 173,000 likes and has been used to organize events (pictured above) in France to remember the victims of the tragic attack. The page is also host to numerous tributes and memes that pay respect to the late cartoonists.

 

The suspected gunman responsible for the attack on Charlie Hebdo are currently holding a man hostage in a village to the north of Paris. Meanwhile, another hostage situation involving a gunman connected to the Charlie Hebdo suspects is underway to the east of Paris.