January 10, 2015 12:37 PM EST
M ore than 210,000 participated in silent marches for the victims of this week’s string of terrorist attacks in France on Saturday, prompting French authorities to deploy 500 extra troops in cities around the country to protect the demonstrators.
Thousands marched silently in French cities like Paris, Nice, Orleans, Pau, Toulouse and Nantes to honor the victims and express solidarity as a nation. Almost 25,000 marched in Nice alone, some holding flags and signs to show support.
People take part in a silent procession for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice, southeastern France. Lionel Cironneau—AP A man holds a French flag during a silent walk for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice. Lionel Cironneau—AP Tens of thousands of people some holding up signs that read, "Je suis Charlie" march in Nice, on Jan. 10, 2015. Valery Hache—AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators hold signs that reads "Je suis Charlie" during a rally in Nantes on Jan. 10, 2015,. Jean-Sebastien Evrard—AFP/Getty Images A man hold a rose and pencil during a rally at the Memorial Square in Caen on Jan. 10, 2015. Charly Truballeeau—AFP/Getty Images Thousands peoples walks during a tribute to the victims of the attack on the Paris headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Toulouse, Jan. 10, 2014. Guillaume Horcahuel—EPA Children lay flowers outside the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket near Porte de Vincennes in eastern Paris, Jan. 10, 2015. Yves Herman—Reuters Messages left by people visiting a makeshift memorial are pasted to a wall near the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Jan. 10, 2015. David Azia—AP More Must-Reads from TIME Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You? The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision