Topless Femen Pulled From Roof Above Far Right Protest in Paris

[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: