Forty or so people, mainly French nationals, gathered in Valletta yesterday for a silent march in support of the victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Holding up pens, pencils and banners reading Je suis Charlie (I am Charlie) the small crowd made its way from City Gate to St George’s Square, where a minute’s applause was held.

The march took place in a show of unity with the estimated one million people marching through Paris yesterday.

Among them were 60 world leaders, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

“We wanted to show that even though we’re not living in France, we’re still with them,” said Jose, 30, holding a copy of Charlie Hebdo, which, he said, he had followed for 11 years.

“For my generation, Charlie Hebdo always stood against war and injustice,” said Jacques, 56. “We need voices like that in the fight against darkness.”

“We are not afraid,” said Briac, 21. “We’re all shocked but we want to tell people we support them. We are not afraid.”

“We are here to stand against all forms of violence, whether terrorism or racism,” said Sophie, 30. “At times like this, it is more important than ever to stand for freedom of speech, even if you disagree with what is being said.”

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, present for the vigil, said every Maltese and Gozitan person felt part of France in the wake of the attack.

“Today we march together with Paris in support of our beliefs,” he said. “Anything that happens in Europe happens in Malta.”

Dr Bonnici said it was important for Europe to try and understand why natural born citizens were increasingly being drawn to radical militant organisations. “It is also an opportunity to take stock of our values and ensure that they remain the heart with which Europe beats.”