France Awakened to Fight with ISIS: 'We're at War'

PARIS - French President Francois Hollande told a joint session of French lawmakers Monday he wants to unite with the U.S. and Russia in a coalition dedicated to smashing ISIS.

"France is at war," Hollande announced. "The acts committeed on Friday night in Paris, and near the Stade de France, are acts of war."

The speech came after France and many allies observed a minute of silence earlier in the day, honoring the 129 killed and 350 wounded by ISIS terrorists last Friday.

Hollande also signaled a months-long security crackdown following security sweeps overnight in which police nationwide arrested 127 people and seized a range of weaponry.

The French president already delivered a strong response late Sunday night in the form of bombs dropped on the ISIS capital of Raqqa, Syria.

The bombing began within hours of dozens of arrests of anyone thought to have ties to the terrorists around Belgium and France.

The people of Paris have been advised to stay inside, but thousands are doing just the opposite, gathering together at memorials around the city to show they're not intimidated after Friday's heartless attacks.

"The people want to stay and show they are not afraid and this is our streets," said one Parisian resident named Isabelle.

"We're here because this is what we need actually. We need to hold together," another resident named Giam said.

The carefully planned attacks began when three coordinated teams of gunmen targeted six spots around the city.

The first blast came at the Stade de France stadium where thousands watched a soccer game between France and Germany.

As one suicide bomber tried to enter, security officers discovered his vest, leading him to detonate his bomb outside the stadium, followed quickly by two others.

Minutes later, three gunmen entered a popular concert hall and fired on hundreds attending an American rock concert, killing 89 of them.

Just down the street from the concert hall, attackers fired into popular restaurants and cafes before blowing themselves up.

At Le Carillon Café, a beloved neighborhood bar frequented by many young people, CBN News observed the bullet holes from Friday's massacre. Now it has been scarred by bullet holes, blood stains, and horrific memories.

American student Nohemi Gonzalez was among those killed at the targeted restaurants. She was in Paris studying abroad.

"I feel lost, sadness, and it was my only daughter," her mother said.

Thousands attended Notre Dame Cathedral for a special service Sunday night, where they rang the bells in honor of the souls lost.

But outside the service, the streets were once again filled with sirens when a false alarm caused panic in a massive crowd at Place de la Republique, showing how on edge the people of Paris are after Friday's massacre.

"Of course the next couple of days I wont feel okay, but it's just because it's so terrifying. But I will feel better and I will feel safer and of course, I'm not going to leave," one American student said.

Meanwhile, a heavy police presence remains throughout the city as law enforcement takes every precaution necessary against any possible attacks.

After two major terrorist attacks in less a year, the people of Paris are trying hard to show they won't be intimidated. But fear lingers as people wonder if there might be more tragedy to come.