Sat Nov 23 20:56:33 UTC 2024: ## Thousands March Across France in Protest Against Sexual Violence
**PARIS, FRANCE** – Tens of thousands of people rallied across France on Saturday in a nationwide demonstration against sexual violence and in defense of women’s reproductive rights, two days ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The largest protest took place in Paris, where an estimated 80,000 people, according to Le Monde, marched through the streets, representing over 400 organizations. Similar demonstrations, though smaller in scale, occurred in cities across the country, including Rennes.
Protesters carried purple placards denouncing gender-based violence and expressed concerns about potential rollbacks of women’s rights, particularly concerning reproductive rights, citing recent political developments in the United States. The upcoming return of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House and Vice President-elect JD Vance’s past statements advocating for a national abortion ban fueled these anxieties, although Vance has since stated that individual states should decide abortion policy.
France’s recent constitutional enshrinement of abortion rights in March, a direct response to the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, was highlighted as a key point of contention. While abortion has been legal in France since 1975, this constitutional amendment solidified access to abortion, making France the first country globally to take such a step.
The protests also showed solidarity with Gisele Pelicot, whose ex-husband and 50 others are on trial for allegedly drugging and raping her. Maelle Noir of the feminist collective Nous Toutes (“All of Us”) emphasized the widespread nature of violence, stating, “Unfortunately, anybody can be a perpetrator of violence. It can be our brothers. It can be our fathers. It can be our colleagues. It can be our bosses. I think that’s the big shock for people.” The widespread participation underscored the urgency felt by many in addressing sexual violence and protecting women’s rights.
First Piper 