‘We are all Samuel’ & ‘We are not afraid’: Thousands gather in Paris to pay respects to beheaded French teacher

Demonstrations have been called in support of freedom of speech and to pay tribute to a French teacher who was beheaded near Paris after discussing caricatures of Prophet Muhammad with his class.

Demonstrations around France have been called in support of freedom of speech and to pay tribute to a French history teacher who was beheaded near Paris after discussing caricatures of Prophet Muhammad with his class. Samuel Paty was beheaded on Friday by 

A portrait of Samuel Paty is held up as people gather on Republique square in Lille, northern France. (Photo | AP)

A person holds up a banner that reads: 'For the freedom of speech', during a demonstration in Lyon, central France. (Photo | AP)

A teacher has her forehead painted with the word Teacher during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

People hold a banner that reads: 'Don't touch my teacher', in Lyon, central France. (Photo | AP)

A demonstrator holds a French flag with the slogan 'Freedom of Speech' during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

Demonstrators hold placards reading 'I am a teacher' during a demonstration. (Photo | AP)

Communist party parliament member Fabien Roussel, third left, and his deputy stand with posters that read: 'I am Samuel', as people gather on Republique square in Lille, northern France. (Photo | AP)

People gather on Republique square during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

A child holds up a a poster of Samuel Paty as people gather on Republique square in Lille, northern France. (Photo | AP)

A person holding a poster that reads: 'I am a Teacher', gathers with others on Republique square in Lille, northern France. (Photo | AP)

A demonstrator displays on his back a portrait of slain teacher Samuel Paty during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

A demonstrator holds a placard on the Republique square during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

Hundreds of people gather on Republique square during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

People gather on Republique square, one with a poster reading 'I am a teacher' during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

People gather with portrait of slain teacher Samuel Paty during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

People gather on Republique square, one with a poster reading 'I am Samuel' for a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)

People hold a poster reading 'It is dark in the country of lights' during a demonstration in Paris. (Photo | AP)