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Milwaukee Bastille Day celebration clouded by Nice attack

Posted at 4:29 PM, Jul 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-14 19:45:51-04

Beer, wine, music and celebration were flowing in Milwaukee's Bastille Day celebration Thursday.

The celebration was filled people who perhaps did not know that 4,500 miles away in Nice, France, a Bastille Day celebration turned tragic and deadly from an apparent terrorist attack where dozens reportedly died.

"It's so sad. I want to cry," said Denise, a woman from two hours away from Nice, France who was attending Milwaukee's celebration.

"I was watching the President this morning...now I feel terrible. I have a niece that lives close to Nice. I will have to check with my sister tomorrow morning because we have seven hour difference to see if everyone is OK. I don't know what to say. I'm just shocked."

Denise repeatedly spoke of the beauty of the area, a tourist attraction along the Mediterranean Sea.

"It's part of the French Riviera. It's next to Cannes," said Denise.

"It's very touristic, especially now. They should have a lot of tourists. That's where most of the French people go...they cover all the beaches."

In such a celebration, in such a city, terrorism happened on Thursday - and in a country that has seen more than its share in recent months.

"It's awful. It's one after the other. It seems like it. After everything that has happened...I'm shocked that it's happened again and again," explained Denise, who shed tears as she talked.
 
"I think they have something against the French population, the French people. I have no idea."