On Thursday, a pair of suicide bomb attacks in Beirut killed 43 people. The following day, over 120 people were killed in the deadliest attack on Paris since World War II. In the wake of these horrific attacks, we’ve seen an incredible demonstration of global solidarity with the victims of terror, along with an outpouring of messages of love, tolerance, and peace.

This is a moment when we can choose to respond to acts of hatred with strength, conviction and compassion.

A group of  European and international organizations are working together to publish an open letter expressing our shared grief for the victims of the Beirut and Paris attacks and our hope that the international response seeks justice needed for a lasting peace, not vengeance.

Together, we will print the letter in the French newspaper Le Monde – displaying the signatures and comments from people from across Canada like you. We’re also planning to publish a similar letter in Lebanon, to affirm that all lives lost to violent extremists are grieved—not just those in western Europe.