Kerry: Slain Journalists Are 'Martyrs for Liberty

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State John Kerry is telling the people of France that each and every American stands with them today.

Speaking in English and French, Kerry says the U.S. stands with its ally in solidarity after masked gunmen stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper Wednesday, killing 12 people.

He says the U.S. is committed to working with France to confront extremism and promote the cause that extremists fear: Freedom - or "la liberate."

"I agree with the French imam who called the slain journalists martyrs for liberty" - Secretary of State John Kerry

— ABC News (@ABC) January 7, 2015

Kerry has deep family ties to France. He has visited Paris more than any other foreign city as America's top diplomat.

He spoke Wednesday after meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna at the State Department in Washington.