Paris march: At least one million join 50 world leaders in 'overwhelming' demonstration on streets of French capital-by Hohn Lichfield

At least one million people were expected to attend today's “Republican march” in Paris - also called the “march against hatred”.

At 4pm local time every avenue and boulevard around the Place de la Republique was blocked solid. Most people were unable to move forward - and seemed unlikely ever to do so.  New rivers and streams of humanity still poured into the crowd from every direction.

Nearby metro stations were closed. At those a little distance away which remained open, crowds waited patiently to leave each platform. Each train that arrived was packed.

“France will not be the same after today,” said Michel, 46, as he took part in what was indeed to be a day of extraordinary precedents set.

The Israeli Prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu and the president of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas participated in the same demonstration. President François Hollande and his predecessor Nicolas Sarkosy marched side by side.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, was taking part in a street demonstration for the first time in his life.  “The Charlie Hebdo murders will not crush our spirit or our values,” he tweeted on his way to Paris this morning.

King Abdallah of Jordan and the brother of the Emir of Qatar marched alongside the German chancellor Angela Merkel and the Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian, Nigerian and Malian leaders – more than 50 world leaders in all – in the two mile march from the Place de la République to the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris

Read more: Paris march: At least one million join 50 world leaders in 'overwhelming' demonstration on streets of French capital - Europe - World - The Independent