Femen leader Inna Shevchenko wrote on Twitter, explaining that the stunt was intended to “denounce the hypocrisy of this November 11th [Armistice Day], which celebrates peace with the greatest dictators, racist, homophobic, sexist and anti-liberty [leaders] of the planet.”
French police have detained two topless female protestors after they ran at President Donald Trump’s motorcade driving through Paris.
As Trump’s procession made its way down the French capital’s iconic Champs-Elysees on Sunday, the women managed to jump over barricades and lunge toward the passing vehicles, according to British newspaper The Independent. While one was quickly grabbed by officers, the other got within about one yard of the president’s motorcade.
The women had the words “Fake Peacemaker” painted on their chests, Reuters reported. Femen, a radical feminist group based in Paris, claimed responsibility for the demonstration. The activist group frequently carries out topless stunts and protests against sexism, racism, and homophobia as well as other social and political issues.
Although the motorcade reportedly stopped briefly due to the incident, it continued along its way after a short pause. Reports have suggested that the stunt will raise concerns about security in Paris, as some 70 world leaders have converged on the city to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on Armistice Day this weekend.
Femen leader Inna Shevchenko wrote on Twitter, explaining that the stunt was intended to “denounce the hypocrisy of this November 11th [Armistice Day], which celebrates peace with the greatest dictators, racist, homophobic, sexist and anti-liberty [leaders] of the planet.”
“And we are not sorry, Mr President,” she wrote in a follow-up tweet.
The group also organized a protest in front of Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris, on Saturday. Holding signs denouncing attendants of the weekend’s festivities as “war criminals,” the activists were dragged into police vans, according to The Independent.
French police tackle a FEMEN protester after she approached the motorcade of President Donald Trump as he arrived to participate in the Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on November 11 SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
Trump’s arrival in France was also marked by his sparring with French President Emmanuel Macron. Last week, Macron argued that Europe needs a unified army to address global threats, including those posed by the United States. He specifically addressed recent international policy decisions pushed forward by the Trump administration as being potentially dangerous for the continent.
“We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America, » Macron told Europe 1 radio on Tuesday
“When I see President Trump announcing that he’s quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s Euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim?” he asked. “Europe and its security.”
In a Friday tweet, just after his arrival in Paris, Trump referred to the remarks as “very insulting.”
“Perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U. S. subsidizes greatly!” he added.
Trump has repeatedly called on fellow members of the U. S.-led NATO Western military alliance to contribute more to the coalition, including spending at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. In July, Macron said France aimed to meet the target by 2024.
Despite the tensions, Trump and Macron met face-to-face on Saturday, with the French leader calling the U. S. president his “friend.”
“We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States,” Trump said during the meeting.
