Topless Femen Pulled From Roof Above Far Right Protest in Paris

[The Straight Story]

Topless Femen Pulled From Roof Above Far Right Protest in Paris

Topless Ukrainian feminists, Femen were taken off a roof by firemen hundreds of feet above a far right demonstration in central Paris this afternoon. Four women, including the groups leader, Inna Shevchenko occupied a balcony above a crowd of hundreds of members of extreme right wing groups to protest against neo-Nazism.

The women, appearing shirtless and in hotpants, joined hands above a huge red banner reading "Sextermination to Nazism" above Paris' Place de Pyramids, by the Louvre. Far right groups had gathered to commemorate Joan of Arc, adopted as an iconic figure by extreme French nationalists.

The four women stood above the jeering crowd for roughly an hour while police attempted to reach them. Officers scaled the balcony of an adjacent hotel and began trying to pull in Femen's banner, as well as calling to the women to come down. Around 1pm a fire engine arrived, and a ladder was extended up towards the women. Simultaneously, a fireman began to climb across to reach them.

The Femen activists obeyed police instructions to descend once firemen reached them, climbing calmly down the ladder one at a time, helped by two sapeur-pompiers. Each woman turned to face the crowd and blow kisses from half-way up the ladder. The crowd below shouted insults at the women and chanted "Jump, jump!" over and over again. Riot police armed with batons and shields formed lines around the ladder, as far right demonstrators tried to approach.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/patrick-reevell/femen-topless-paris-protest_b_3262960.html

[Purveyor]

1. "Femen"? I'm not sorry that that brings on a {{{chuckle}}}...

Never heard/seen the 'word' before.

[DreamGypsy]

4. Rise and shine, Rip Van Winkle...

[Purveyor]

6. I mean... LOL eom

[DreamGypsy]

8. A long history of protest via full/partial nudity.

Thanks, Purveyor, for taking my reply with the humor in which it was intended.

FEMEN originated in the Ukraine in 2008, so has been around awhile. They have participated in many international protests since then, widely covered by the press. However, using the naked body as a means of dissent is not a recent phenomenon.

For those of Anglo-Saxon descent there is, of course, the legend of Lady Godiva, the 13th century noblewoman who accepted a challenge and become one of the first protesters against excessive taxation:

The legend of the nude ride is first recorded in the 13th century, in the Flores Historiarum and the adaptation of it by Roger of Wendover; despite its considerable age, it is not regarded as plausible by modern historians, nor mentioned in the two centuries intervening between Godiva's death and its first appearance, while her generous donations to the church receive various mentions. According to the typical version of the story,[18][19] Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should stay indoors and shut their windows, she rode through the town, clothed only in her long hair. Just one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwords known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in one of the most famous instances of voyeurism.[20] In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind.[21] In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.

Those who 'adolesced' during the 1960's received an education about this legend from the noted scholars, Peter and Gordon:

[Paulie]

7. You have never been to Arrakis.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremen

[ismnotwasm]

2. 'Jump'???

Assholes.

These women are incredibly brave.

[kwassa]

3. Bare breasts are invincible.

Another powerful protest. Once again they use large English-language signs in France.

and another exciting Femen thread!

[RC]

5. Most of the world understands English.

Unlike here in the U.S.

[Phillip McCleod]

9. wow. who'd a thought boobs were so provocative.

this quote from the article is scary..

When Inna Shevchenko, the third to descend, reached the ground, around 20 shaven headed men tried to break through police lines to her, shouting "whore". Officers used pepper spray to drive them back, while Shevchenko disappeared behind the engine.

un-HINGED