'Pencil' tribute to Paris attack victims by US lawmakers

Dozens of US lawmakers paid tribute to the victims of the Islamist attacks in Paris by holding up pencils during US President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech.

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore led the show of support in which about 40 lawmakers - mainly Democrats - waved yellow pencils as Obama declared the US stands "united with people around the world who've been targeted by terrorists, from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris."

The pencil has become a global symbol of free speech in the wake of the brutal attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people, including cartoonists, were killed earlier this month.

Moore's office called the event a "unique opportunity to join our global partners in showing our collective support and solidarity."