Yesterday, 23 November, I stumbled upon a very large and vocal march through the streets of Paris that was directed against domestic violence towards women. What really struck me were the handmade signs carried by many men and women of all ages expressing anger and sorrow at the lack of action in this area by the French government, which many see as deliberately turning a blind eye to the problem.
These are images straight out of my camera, with no attempts made to make them pretty. I have done a loose translation in the captions of the main signs that you see in each photo. If you want more details about the march, check out this BBC report.
Male executioner (Note: In French this word combination sounds a lot like Marlboro). To be born a woman kills. (Note: the wording of this warning matches that on cigarette packaging.)
Sexism kills. Feminism saves.
We teach our boys about consent and what happens if the state does it? No is no!
Red smoke. (I am not sure of the symbolism here.)
My body belongs to me. In France 2019 there is a rape every 7 minutes. We are all concerned.
Not a single one more. The state is not protecting us.
Four out of five handicapped women are victims of violence. The state is complicit.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 