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Parisians have opened their homes to each other as the city rallies on one of the darkest days in its history.
Using the hashtag #portouverte (OpenDoor), people took to social media to offer shelter and safety to anyone stranded in the French capital as president François Hollande declared a state of emergency across the country.
Locals offered their homes to frightened tourists and locals alike, with the hashtag quickly trending worldwide on Twitter.
The show of solidarity offered a glimpse of humanity on a night that saw more than 100 people confirmed dead, with the death toll expected to climb.
if anyone needs a place to stay near republique (rue de turbigo), please tweet me #PorteOuverte
— Peter Philippou (@Peter9588) November 13, 2015
Anybody who's stranded in Paris and needs shelter and somewhere safe, any Sikh Gurdwara (temple) will be happy to accommodate #PorteOuverte
— Rohan (@RohanSinghKalsi) November 13, 2015
I am in Republique and happy to help anyone in need, stuck at a bar/restaurant. I have a safe home if you need one #PorteOuverte
— Shanna (@shannalynnSF) November 13, 2015
To our German friends, you can find a safe place at our place if you are close to the Laumière metro station #offenetüren #PorteOuverte
— Pierre de S. (@Mr_Piouf) November 13, 2015
As news emerged of multiple shootings and bombings across the city in what appeared to be a night of coordinated attacks, many took to social media to say that the show of support was proof that terrorism would never win.
#PorteOuverte completely encompasses why terrorism can never win nor undermine the kind and humane people in the world! #ParisShooting
— Darius Ryan (@dariusryan_UK) November 13, 2015
The best of Humanity responding to the worst of Humanity #parisattacks #porteouverte
— Ann Mahon (@AnnMahon2) November 13, 2015
Peace for Paris pic.twitter.com/ryf6XB2d80
— jean jullien (@jean_jullien) November 13, 2015
Social media also offered peace of mind to people around the world searching for loved ones in Paris. Facebook's Safety Check feature locates people who may be near a natural disaster or unfolding major emergency and sends notifications to users asking if they are safe. Once confirmed, a notification is then sent to all the person's Facebook friends.
Many users were unaware of the feature until they received the alert, including Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson, who was holidaying in Paris for the weekend after a business trip in Europe.
Wow. Facebook has a 'safety check' after it identified I was near the attacks in Paris. Social media becomes first responder ... Posted by Tim Wilson on Friday, 13 November 2015
As metro lines were closed and buses shut down, Parisians also reported that taxi drivers across the city were turning off their meters and taking people for free.
Uber suspended its service due to the terror attacks, urging users to stay indoors.
.@FRANCE24 reports that Paris taxis are taking passengers home for free tonight. There's a history of Paris taxi drivers helping like this.
— Benjamin Howard (@BenHowardOPT) November 13, 2015
The official Paris Twitter account turned its cover photo and icon from pink to black in a gesture of mourning for those who died in the terror attacks. It announced that all the city's amenities, including schools, museums, libraries, gyms, swimming pools and supermarkets would be closed.
Dès demain, fermeture de tous les équipements de la Ville: écoles, musées, bibliothèques, gymnases, piscines, marchés alimentaires
— Paris (@Paris) November 14, 2015
