On January 7th two armed jihadists stormed #CharlieHebdo, a satirical newspaper in Paris and murdered 12 people. Prior to the attack, Charlie Hebdo had garnered attention as a liberal, anti-religious magazine. The magazine portrayed blasphemous religious caricatures and political satire on its cover, such as Prophet Muhammad and Barack Obama. Following the attack, the French police pursued the well-trained Jihadists in a seventy-two hour manhunt. The events left seventeen dead in addition to the Muslim extremists.

The attack has reminded both creative and journalistic worlds that sometimes there is a price for the words and images they publish. Unfortunately, these cartoonists paid with their lives. Instances in which creative work or journalistic work result in physical harm have created an air of unease. In fact, often journalists shy away from broaching certain subjects that are known to cause public discord or results in their being monitored by the government. A recent multi-national survey by PEN American Center researchers found that 1 in 3 writers reported being frightened to publish certain works. More than one-fourth of the participants said they engaged in “self-censorship.” The source of this fear is founded in government surveillance more so than anything.

What do the two have to do with each other? When the press is being intimidated and is frightened away from actively seeking to publish the truth, it is the everyday people who suffer. Need we dredge up those distant memories of Watergate? If journalists hadn’t fanned the flames detailing the illegal surveillance of U.S. citizens, then the criminal acts committed by Nixon’s administration would not have seen the light of day. Another prime example is the Civil Rights Movement. Had it not been for camera crews taking footage of policemen attacking men, women, and children with canines, water hoses, and bare knuckles, the horrid events would not have received national scrutiny. The practice of press is a dangerous and often undervalued act that is only made that much harder by the fear of backlash. Despite the danger, press is necessary for any nation to thrive and for its citizens to be informed.

The attack on Charlie Hebdo is an attack on freedom of expression itself. That is the true terror: that any group of people could deem themselves worthy enough to stifle this freedom is not only grandiose but also unacceptable.

At least, that’s what the 1.3 million people believe. This Monday a million people came together and marched in commemoration and support for the magazine. There was also a global response from artists who spoke through satirical cartoons. These cartoons and demonstrations make a bold declaration to terrorists that senseless violence will not discourage expression. Protesters surmised their beliefs by wearing attire and signs that read “#JeSuisCharlie,” which translates to “I am Charlie.”

Of all speeches given by political leaders and organizers, no one made a bigger statement than the magazine itself, which is poised to issue another newspaper in the coming days. The cover? Another blasphemous image of Muhammad holding a sign that says “JeSuisCharlie” and above his head reads, “All is forgiven.”