Sydney Opera House to light up in red, white and blue as world cities adopt the Tricolore

Sydney Opera House to light up in red, white and blue as world cities adopt the Tricolore

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This article titled "Sydney Opera House to light up in red, white and blue as world cities adopt the Tricolore" was written by Elle Hunt, for theguardian.com on Saturday 14th November 2015 06.37 UTC

The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit in the colours of the French flag on Saturday night in a show of solidarity to Paris.

More than 120 people were killed in a spate of shootings and explosions across the French capital on Friday night.

Acting on a suggestion from journalist Mike Carlton, New South Wales premier Mike Baird tweeted the decision to light up the Opera House sales.

“Tonight the sails of the Opera House will be lit in the blue, white & red of the French flag. We mourn with you and stand with you, Paris.”

Tonight the sails of the Opera House will be lit in the blue, white & red of the French flag. We mourn with you and stand with you, Paris.🇫🇷

— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) November 14, 2015

In a statement posted to Facebook, Baird expressed solidarity with Paris.

“Our hearts break with yours, Paris. But our spirits will never be broken. Neither will our determination to stand together against these cowardly, evil acts of terror.

“We are with you.”

He later confirmed that he had also asked for a French flag to be flown over the Sydney harbour bridge, but: “Turns out, there isn’t one in the country that is big enough. So, if we can’t source one, we are going to make one.

“We mourn with you, and we stand with you, Paris.”

I've asked for French flag to fly over the Harbour Bridge. There isn't one in the country big enough. If we cant find one, we'll make one.🇫🇷

— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) November 14, 2015

Sydney mayor Clover Moore had earlier confirmed that the town hall would be lit in red, white and blue on Saturday.

Sydney strongly supports the people of Paris at this terrible time. Tonight we will light our Town Hall with the colours of the French flag.

— Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) November 14, 2015

Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk tweeted that the Story Bridge would also be lit up on Saturday.

We will be lighting the #Brisbane #StoryBridge red, white and blue tonight. #ParisAttacks

— Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) November 14, 2015

Meanwhile prominent buildings around the world changed colour in tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.

The spire of the One World Trade Centre was illuminated in red, white and blue on Friday night, and governor Andrew Cuomo said it would remain so in the coming days.

NY lights @OneWTC in blue, white & red as we stand in solidarity with the people of France: https://t.co/Clk1ZKBIqN pic.twitter.com/zHkT1FGmpr

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 14, 2015

San Francisco City Hall, Wembley Stadium and, in Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer were both also lit up.

San Francisco City Hall stand in solidarity with #Paris. pic.twitter.com/9z40jWh5D8

— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) November 14, 2015

Wembley stadium displays French tricolour in solidarity with victims of #ParisShooting https://t.co/u957UIap3S pic.twitter.com/DnprQRR2gM

— Saina Behnejad (@SainaBehnejad) November 14, 2015

Christ the Redeemer lit up in blue, white and red in support of France. 🇫🇷🌹 pic.twitter.com/UJAUkoTslW

— Saul (@Socarma7) November 14, 2015

However images on social media appearing to show the Empire State Building lit up in the Tricolore were found to be from January 11, when the building was lit up in honour of the victims of the attack on the Charlie Hebdo office.

Others posted images showing a darkened Eiffel tower.

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