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Lawmakers Hold Pencils at SOTU in Support of Free Speech

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Democratic Congressman from Georgia John Lewis waved pencils when President Barack Obama mentioned free speech
Image: US President Barack Obama delivers his 6th State of the Union address.
Democratic Congresswoman from Texas Sheila Jackson Lee and Democratic Congressman from Georgia John Lewis wave pencils when President Barack Obama mentioned free speech during the State of the Union address.JIM LO SCALZO / EPA

Lawmakers hold up pencils during the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama, before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans and Democrats alike rose to applaud when Obama said he stood united with the people of Paris after terrorist attacks there. More than two-dozen lawmakers held up pencils symbolizing free speech, in sympathy with the victims of the attack on the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Image: Lawmakers hold up pencils during the State of the Union address
Lawmakers hold up pencils during the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama, before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington.MANDEL NGAN / AP