Sting reopens Bataclan after Paris attacks

Associated Press

PARIS

French security turned out in force Saturday night ahead of a concert by British pop legend Sting marking the reopening of the Bataclan concert hall one year after suicidal jihadis turned the famed Paris site into a bloodbath.

Hundreds of yards of barricades, extensive body searches and scores of armed police greeted those lucky enough to get a ticket. The Bataclan said all 1,000 Sting tickets sold out quickly and other tickets were given to the families of the 90 revelers slain a year ago by extremists with automatic weapons and explosive belts.

Sting asked concert-goers to observe a minute of silence as he opened the show.

“We will not forget them,” the singer said in French.

The coordinated attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 last year targeted bars, restaurants and the sports stadium, leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more injured. The worst extremist violence ever to hit France, they were claimed by the Islamic State group.

Some survivors on Saturday stayed outside the Bataclan in quiet vigil, while others inside stood silently sipping a drink, waiting for the concert to start. The smell of fresh paint from the reconstruction hung over the crowd.

Sting says proceeds from the concert would go to two charities helping survivors. More than 1,700 people have been officially recognized as victims of the horror that unfolded at the Bataclan, Paris cafes and France’s national stadium.

Juliette Meadel, the French minister for victims aid, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo were among those at the concert.

Some who were invited decided against attending the emotionally charged event.