The French Alliance of Newport expressed sadness after the deadly attack in Nice, France, which claimed the lives of more than 80 people. Crowds were mowed down by a truck during outdoor celebrations of Bastille Day in the coastal city, a vacation destination for many tourists.
French Alliance of Newport spokeswoman Polly Lyman said she found out about the attack following a local celebration of Bastille Day.
“It’s hard to feel anything except sadness,” said Lyman. “Sadness that our French compatriots lost so many innocent victims who were out doing nothing more than celebrating their national day.”
Lyman said the French Alliance of Newport plans to be in contact with a French Alliance chapter in Nice, adding she hopes the attack does not discourage people from visiting the country or traveling abroad.
“Everybody needs to be cautious, but everybody also needs to be mindful of the divisiveness and the hatred that’s happening in the world as well,” said Lyman. “And that France is not singled out, I just think that it’s had a lot of tragedy strike it this year.”
In the last year, three major attacks have been carried out in France, the attack in Nice, as well as two earlier attacks in Paris.
