1 Mil. Copies of 'Charlie Hebdo' Will Go to Print

In its response to the Charlie Hebdo massacre that killed 12 during a routine editorial meeting Wednesday morning, France's response has been unanimous: We will not cower in fear from terrorism. Now, one million copies of Charlie Hebdo are being published next Wednesday in a defiant gesture that free speech will prevail, no matter how great the threat. A number of media organizations in France have already offered to fund the newspaper to ensure it continues its legacy.

This was, in many ways, the message of Charlie Hebdo throughout its tenure: unapologetically standing up for its right to publish biting satire. "It perhaps sounds a bit pompous, but I'd rather die standing than live on my knees," editor Stephane Charbonnier, who was killed Wednesday in the attack, had once said.

One million copies, of course, far outpaces the typical Charlie Hebdo output of roughly 60,000, according to The Guardian — and that's exactly the point. Columnist Patrick Pelloux, who will put together next week's issue for publication, told AFP: "It’s very hard. We are all suffering, with grief, with fear, but we will do it anyway because stupidity will not win."

The issue will be put together in another office, because the current one— the site of the attack — isn't accessible to anyone. Back in 2011, after a fire-bombing attack in response to its cartoons, Charlie Hebdo continued to publish without hiatus, and the following week's cover declared, in French, "Love is stronger than hate."

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