Paris attacks reactions: Madonna, John Oliver and more send powerful responses

Public figures have paid tribute to the 129 victims of Friday's attacks

George Takei said 'we must resist the urge to categorise and dehumanise' (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

A number of public figures have made powerful statements in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris which killed 129 people.

Five co-ordinated gun and bomb attacks were carried out in the French capital on Friday night. The extremist terror group Isis has claimed responsibility.

While landmarks turned red, white and blue and a minute's silence was marked today around the world, some of those in the public eye have used their platform to spread positive and powerful messages.

Waleed Aly
The presenter of the Australian current affairs programme The Project delivered a powerful message on why Isis are not actually as powerful as they want us to think they are.

During the four-minute segment he says the group are “weak” and often “appear bigger and tougher than they actually are.”

He urged viewers to “come together” and not turn on each other as doing so will “help” Isis.

ISIL is Weak

Waleed talks about how we can stop ISIL #TheProjectTVWritten by Waleed and Tom Whitty (@twhittyer)

Posted by The Project on Monday, 16 November 2015

Stephen King
The author responded on Twitter to the many Islamophobic comments circulating which blamed Muslims for the Paris attacks.

He compared “hating all Muslims for what happened in Paris” to “hating all Christians because of the gay-hating Westboro Baptist Church” and affirmed that the “majority of muslims despise Isis”.

George Takei
The Star Trek actor said “there will be those who look upon immigrants and refugees as the enemy as a result of these attacks because the look like those who perpetrated [them] just as peaceful Japanese Americans were viewed as the enemy after Pearl Harbour.”

He urged his followers on Facebook to “resist the urge to categorise and dehumanise, for it is that very impulse that fuelled the insanity and violence perpetrated this evening.”

I'm writing this backstage at Allegiance, my heart heavy with the news from Paris, aching for the victims and their...

Posted by George Takei on Friday, 13 November 2015

John Oliver
Warning that he was going to embark on a “moment of cable profanity”, the British chat show host told his audience on HBO’s Last Week Tonight that the attacks were carried out by “gigantic f***ing assholes”.

He continued: “F**k these assholes. F**k them, if I may say, sideways.” He also said it is important to remember “nothing about what these assholes are trying to do is going to work… If you are in a war of culture and lifestyle with France, good f***king luck.”

Madonna
The performer broke down in tears during a concert in Stockholm, Sweden after pausing her performance to pay tributes to victims.

She said: “In many ways I feel torn, because it’s like ‘Why am I up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones?’ However that is exactly what these people want to do. They want to shut us up. They want to silence us, and we won’t let them. We will never let them.”

Saturday Night Live
The American flagship comedy sketch show paused from regular proceedings to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack, one day after it happened.

Replacing the opening monologue, which is traditionally filled with jokes by whoever is the host that particular week, cast member Cecily Strong addressed the audience in English and French, saying: “Our love and support is with everyone there tonight, we stand with you.”

James O'Brien
The LBC radio host debated the attacks on his show and shared his opinion on Twitter, urging followers not to make "terrorists' dreams come true by visiting more hatred and division upon innocent people". He also reminded people that "Paris perhaps provides a clearer picture of what Syrian refugees are running from".