Rep. McNerney's statement on the attack in Paris

Today Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) issued the following statement about the attack at the French satrical magazine Charlie Hebdo:.

"Yesterday’s attack in Paris on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is an assault on a most basic freedom - the freedom of speech. My deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those who were so brutally murdered.

"This incident is a reminder that the freedom to criticize institutions and religions isn’t universally respected around the world. We’ve always known that there are some governments that limit free speech within their own boundaries, but there are individuals and groups, both abroad and here at home, who wish to limit this freedom through intimidation and violence.

"Every freedom-loving person understands that liberty cannot survive if good men and women remain silent while others are attacked. This nation was founded by those who were persecuted for what they believed, and today the U.S. attracts people from all over the world who want the freedom to think and speak without fear of violence.

"Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France in affirming our commitment to free speech, and we must work together to prevent future attacks and to punish those who try to take away this fundamental right. We must also begin the much harder task of helping those who might wish us harm to understand that this right makes for a better, safer, more unified world and that we must all do what it takes to defend it."