Many gathered at the French Consulate in Century City to honor the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks. Rick Montanez reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.
People across Los Angeles are remembering and honoring the lives lost in terrorist attacks in Paris Friday.
A growing memorial of flowers and candles began Saturday morning outside the French Consulate in Century City. The consulate hosted a memorial rally Saturday at 5 p.m.
"The fact of not knowing, and the fact of not being able to act, feeling powerless ... this is definitely the feeling that I'm going through right now, and this is the worst feeling ever," said Alex Mak, a French citizen now living in LA.
The Consul General joined the hundreds gathered for the rally, but declined to make a public comment. Officals with the consulate said that this was a time for mourning and reflection, not a time for them to make a declaration.
Los Angeles International Airport's pylons and the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier were lit up with the French colors to show their support for the country in the wake of the attacks.
The Islamic Center of Southern California held a news conference at 5:30 p.m., followed by a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m.
According to organizers, Muslim and interfaith leaders will condemn the attacks as a violation of Islamic teachings.
"ISIS has committed an attack on humanity which violates all principles of civility and human rights," organizers said in a press release. "They have committed blasphemy by invoking the name of the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, in their murder of civilians."
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Schools around Southern California are checking in with students studying abroad in Paris to ensure their safety.
California State University, Long Beach officials announced the death of student Nohemi Gonzalez Saturday morning.
Nohemi Gonzalez was a 23-year-old from El Monte who was killed during the attacks in and around Paris Friday.
According to Cal State Long Beach President Jane Close Conoley, Gonzalez was at a restaurant with other students when she was wounded.
Gonzalez was a senior studying design and was in Paris attending Strate College of Design during a semester abroad program, according to a press release by the university.
Cal State Long Beach will hold a vigil at 4 p.m. Sunday to mourn Gonzalez's passing and to grieve for all the victims of the attack.
