The people have spoken, and the post-attack edition of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is a massive success.  Originally slated for a run of three million copies instead of the usual 60,000, Charlie sold out almost immediately and another two million are being printed.

Demand for the magazine, with its caricature of the Prophet Mohammed holding a “Je Suis Charlie” sign (and purportedly, a hidden dick pic) came from all over the world, even as far away as Australia and America.  Back in France, people were lined in front of kiosks even before dawn in hopes of getting a copy, and most were sold out before the sun came up.  Many are available on ebay – but you’re going to pay a lot more than three euros.  I saw one going for around US$200, and the bidding hadn’t even ended yet.

Gunmen claiming ties to rival terrorist organizations al Qaeda and Islamic State killed twelve people at Charlie Hebdo’s offices, a policewoman at a petrol station, and four hostages in a kosher food mart.  Especially because of the latter attack, prosecutors have stepped up tough action against anyone engaging in hate speech or actions in ways seen as racist or anti-Semitic.  And a notorious “comedian” stepped right into the middle of that.

Authorities detained flagrantly anti-Semitic entertainer Dieudonne M’bala M’bala over his social media comments suggesting he sympathized with Amedy Coulibaly, the gunman accused of killing four hostages at the kosher supermarket.  Instead of “Je Suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”), Dieudonne said, “I feel like Charlie Coulibaly”, mixing the name of the magazine and the gunman. 

Dieudonne will stand trial over his hate speech.  That set off another debate over free speech, with Dieudonne inserting himself in front of 17 murdered people as the center of attention.

“We are in the land of freedom of expression?” Dieudonne’s lawyer David de Stefano asked rhetorically, calling his client’s detention “shocking” (even though this is hardly the first time – Dieudonne’s trademark gesture is “the quenelle”, which for his followers replaces the nazi salute as a means of intimidating and humiliating Jews).  That isn’t flying with the government.

“What an insult to see a recidivist of hatred having his show in a theatre full of people while at the same time on Saturday evening, at Porte de Vincennes, the whole country was in mourning,” said Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Parliament.  “We cannot just leave this, justice must be served on this preacher of hatred.”

France’s Justice Ministry says 54 people are under investigation related to charges of glorifying terrorism and terrorism threats.