FRANCE: Topless Femen activists protest in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to mark Pope's resignation and parliamentary passage of gay marriage bill.

Record ID: 820332

  • Title: FRANCE: Topless Femen activists protest in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to mark Pope's resignation and parliamentary passage of gay marriage bill.
  • Date: 12th February 2013
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 12, 2013) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** TOPLESS PROTEST UNDER WAY, CATHEDRAL OFFICIAL KICKING PROTESTER VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS RINGING NOTRE DAME BELL CATHEDRAL OFFICIAL DRAGGING PROTESTER VARIOUS OF PROTEST UNDER WAY, BELLS BEING RUNG MEDIA VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING (French): 'HOMOPHOBES GET LOST' CATHEDRAL LIGHTS TURNED OFF PROTE
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA8LBP3TGRTYXBP1SZ9HR60O7VR
  • Story Text: Protesters from the FEMEN pressure group on Tuesday (February 12) staged a topless protest inside Paris' historic Notre Dame cathedral to celebrate the Pope's resignation and the passage of a gay marriage bill that is due to be approved by the lower house of parliament.
    The protesters, led by a Ukrainian activist snuck into the cathedral and then undressed next to the new bells that are due to be taken up to the belfry next month.
    Disrobed, their torsos revealed slogans condemning homophobia and they rang the new bells before scuffling with cathedral staff and eventually being dragged out of the cathedral.
    "We came here to celebrate that all male homophobes have gave up. We celebrate that the Pope is quitting. We are celebrating today's election of voting of the law. We won. Gay marriage will be here. Homophobe gave up. Shame on the church, shame on the religion," said the group's leader, Irina Shevchenko.
    After continuing their protest outside, police led some of them off for questioning.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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