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 How Donald Trump Won The Best Inventions of 2024 Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer Robert Zemeckis Just Wants to Move You How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won Why Vinegar Is So Good for You Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders