A sign during the feminist demonstration of March 8, 2021. -
Aude Lorriaux
Thousands of people marched on March 8 between Port Royal and République, in Paris, for women's rights.
The Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin was is on many signs this year, with the former star of TF1 JT, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, the filmmaker Roman Polanski or even the constitutionalist Olivier Duhamel, all four being accused of rape.
20 Minutes
met in the procession Mathilde, former employee of McDonald's, Sophie, who describes herself as an "intersectional feminist" and Victoire, a midwife in a maternity hospital in Saint-Denis.
Thousands of them met at Port Royal in Paris to demonstrate for women's rights and equality.
A purple and colorful tide invaded the streets of Paris on March 8, under a welcome sun in cold weather.
The procession made stops in front of places symbolic of feminist demands: courthouses to protest against the treatment of sexual violence, Place du Châtelet to support intermittent workers, Cochin hospital to support caregivers.
This is where we met Mathilde, 21, a former McDonald's employee where she experienced sexual harassment and sexism, and spokesperson for the McDroits collective, which in October obtained the right for employees to be able to work in pants, and not necessarily a skirt.
“In some restaurants, women are still forced to wear skirts.
We are still receiving testimonials.
It is the idea that hostesses are sexually available.
We also give them t-shirts that are too small to fit them, or shirts that are too small so that we can see their breasts through the yawn "says Mathilde, unemployed after being fired by McDonald's for having gone on strike, she says.
Mathilde, from the McDroits collective.
- Aude Lorriaux / 20 Minutes
Midwife, a "despised profession"
The procession slowly advances on Boulevard Saint-Michel, and the signs are scattered: “Professional equality now!
", Claims one," Women's rights, not "Women's Day", the other mocks, "in the cauldron, the patriarchy", tries a third, in a very "witchy" style.
This is where we meet Victoire, 27, a midwife in a large maternity hospital in Saint-Denis, who says she sees women suffer from violence and insecurity on a daily basis.
“I discovered what excision was in the field.
Women who cannot even be examined because they have been subjected to too much violence.
But today we are also mobilizing because we consider that we are a profession despised by the government.
Our medical status is not recognized.
We are asked to do more and more for a derisory salary: 1,700 euros net after 5 years of study and a first year of medical study, ”she explains.
And to conclude, disappointed: "We are women who take care of women, that's why we are not listened to."
Victory, midwife.
- Aude Lorriaux / 20 Minutes
"Less Darmanin, more lesbian genius"
Along the way, the Rosies offer musical and choreographic breaks with their feminist covers.
"We love each other, we break up we stop the pa-tri-arcat" they sing to a tune from the Village People.
The CGT truck spits Angela, "Balance your what", which the activists repeat in chorus.
Further on, the tone of the Lesbian Collages group is less childish: "And all dykes hate the Police," they shout.
The arrival at the courthouse transforms the slogans.
The crowd shouts "Justice for Julie", in reference to this 14 year old teenager who accuses several firefighters of rape, and "rapist for you to be afraid".
Also “Darmanin resignation”.
The Minister of the Interior is on many signs this year.
“Less Darmanin, more lesbian genius”, asks a poster, in reference to the book by Alice Coffin, elected EELV at the mayor of Paris.
Further on, in front of the courthouse, activists have pasted a photo of his head, which they pass behind an openwork sign in the form of a prison.
Gérald Darmanin, accused by Sophie Patterson-Spatz of rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust, fights for the star with the former star of TF1 JT, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, filmmaker Roman Polanski or even constitutionalist Olivier Duhamel, all three also accused of rape.
Arrived in front of the courthouse the crowd shouts "Justice for Julie", "rapist for you to be afraid" and "Darmanin resignation".
A portrait of the Minister of the Interior brandished under fictitious bars, with also PPDA Duhamel Polanski ... # 8mars pic.twitter.com/KPBU6JtGRj
- Aude Lorriaux (@audelorriaux) March 8, 2021
"Total nil on maternity leave" for intermittent workers
On one of these signs is written a message which calls out: "Everyone knows a victim, nobody knows a rapist".
It is that of Sophie, just graduated at 26 years old.
She defines herself as an "intersectional feminist" who has endured both "racist, sexist and lgbtqiphobic" violence.
She is there to fight for "a fairer world for women and gender minorities".
Sophie, intersectional feminist.
- Aude Lorriaux / 20 Minutes
The procession continues to advance and now arrives at the Théâtre du Châtelet, where the demonstrators revel in a few concert notes, so rare in these times of health crisis.
The musicians play a
Scott Joplin
Ragtime
, which elicits smiles and opens the ears of the audience.
Just enough to listen to the message from Claire Serre-Combe, from the CGT shows, who is worried about a "live show that no longer lives" and a "total nothingness on maternity leave" for intermittent women.
"When you cannot work you cannot work the hours which open your rights to maternity leave," she points out to the government.
Two hours later, the Place de la République was full, and the organizers announced more than 30,000 people in Paris.
📣 Place de la République is full 📣 #grevefeministe # 8mars pic.twitter.com/n2PMF0xxnF
- March 8: feminist strike (@greve_feministe) March 8, 2021
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