Samuel Paty was murdered by a lone Islamist terrorist after showing his class offensive cartoons previously published by the Charlie Hebdo magazine in a lesson about freedom of speech
The University of Groningen (RUG) has hung the Dutch flag at half-mast on the Academy Building in the Broerstraat in Groningen today, in tribute to the murdered teacher Samuel Paty, and a sign of solidarity with France. As reported by the UKrant.
Schools throughout the Netherlands have also hung the flag at half-mast in solidarity, following a call from the Dutch minister of education.
Though the Minister’s call did not refer to higher education (Paty taught at middle-school level), RUG spokesperson Jorien Bakker told the Ukrant that although France may seem far from home, freedom of expression is also essential for the university.
“It is important that we, as part of the education system, show our solidarity. And we as the University of Groningen support this wholeheartedly.”
The university isn’t just showing its support with a flag. “As soon as it gets dark, we want to let the three French colors shine on the Academy Building,” Bakker says.
Image via WikiUser Wutsje. License here.
