Some 30,000 Danes came out in force in Copenhagen on Monday night for a a torchlit vigil in the wake of Saturday\’s terror attacks that claimed the lives of two people and left five others wounded.
Stunned citizens in what is usually one of the world\’s most peaceful countries flocked to Monday\’s rally in a square near the cultural centre where the first attack took place. Many held flaming torches aloft, illuminating the chilly winter night.
"Tonight I want to tell all Danish Jews: you are not alone. An attack on Denmark\’s Jews is an attack on everyone," she said. "The Jewish community is an important part of Denmark," Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said at the rally.
Faced with the spectacle of European Jews being again targeted by extremists, just over a month after similar attacks in Paris, governments were scrambling to reassure their Jewish communities.
Thorning-Schmidt said Danes had come together to "insist on living free and safe lives in a democratic country."
"When others try to scare us and tear us apart, our response is always a strong community," she declared.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder. Muslims, Jews and Christians, people of different political convictions. We stand together as Danes," she added.
Thorning-Schmidt urged Danes not to allow the violent events interrupt life in the country. "We are adamant that we will live an ordinary life, where we go to gatherings and parties. We will live as we want, and we are who we are. And tonight we join hands," she said.