FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
FEMEN ACTIONS
IN 2011
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against Belarusian Authorities (“Long Live Belarus!”)
Location: Minsk, Belarus
FEMEN activists protested in Minsk, demanding the release of political prisoners in Belarus. The protest was met with violent repression by the Belarusian authorities.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Patriarch Kirill in Moscow (“God, Get Rid of the Tsar!”)
Location: Moscow, Russia
FEMEN activists protested in front of the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow against the Russian Orthodox Church’s influence on politics.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Pension Reform (“Topless Pensioner Joins FEMEN”)
March 21, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (Mykhailivska Square)
In a protest against the proposed pension reform that would raise the retirement age for women, FEMEN was joined by a 63-year-old pensioner who participated topless in the demonstration at Mykhailivska Square. The movement opposed the increase, arguing that it was unfair given the existing wage gap and the double burden of work and household responsibilities borne by women. The protest highlighted the economic and moral objections to the reform, with the pensioner calling for the government to target the wealthy and privileged instead of exploiting elderly women.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against Prostitution (“EURO 2012 Without Prostitution”)
June 8, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
During the opening ceremony of the countdown clocks for the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament, a FEMEN activist protested in front of the Kyiv City State Administration with the message “Euro 2012 without Prostitution” written on her back. The protest highlighted FEMEN’s campaign against the expected rise in prostitution during the tournament.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against Chernobyl Policies (“Worse Than Radiation!”)
April, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Ukrainian police held back FEMEN activists during a protest near the site of the international donors’ conference on the Chernobyl disaster cleanup. The activists held a poster reading “Yanukovych is worse than radiation,” criticizing the government’s handling of the Chernobyl disaster.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Lukashenko (“Crush a Cockroach!”)
May 11, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
activists protested in Kyiv against the policies of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, particularly against sex tourism and the trafficking of women.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against Internet Censorship in Ukraine (“F Censors!”)
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN protested against the proposed censorship of the Internet in Ukraine, highlighting the importance of freedom of speech online.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Attempt to “Buy Out” Yuriy Lutsenko at Pechersk Court
June 20, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (Pechersk District Court)
Three FEMEN activists, dressed as Yulia Tymoshenko, staged a protest outside the Pechersk District Court, attempting to “buy out” former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko, who was on trial. The activists claimed to have brought money from the people to secure Lutsenko’s release. They held signs reading “All Covered in the Same Filth” and sang a song titled “Yura, Forgive, Yura, Farewell” while throwing fake million-dollar bills into the air. The money was allegedly intended for the police, with the activists urging them to “take the money and release Yura.” The protest drew attention, but the activists were ultimately denied entry to the courthouse.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against the Gongadze Case Investigation (“Run, Leonid, I’ll Cover You!”)
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested the handling of the investigation into the murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze, criticizing the lack of justice.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Sex Tourism in Ukraine (“Ukraine is Not a Brothel”)
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN staged multiple protests against the rise of sex tourism in Ukraine, aiming to protect the image of Ukrainian women.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Saudi Arabian Policies
June 16, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Kyiv against the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Pension Reform
July 5, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested against the proposed pension reform that would raise the retirement age for women.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest in Support of Japan After the Tsunami (“Praise the Dragon’s Victors”)
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN showed their support for the Japanese people following the devastating tsunami by staging a protest in their honor.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest for Hot Water Supply
July 14, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested against the regular summer shut-off of hot water by symbolically washing themselves in a city fountain, highlighting the need for hot water during the upcoming EURO 2012.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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“Day of Dependence” Protest at the Cabinet of Ministers
August 24, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (Cabinet of Ministers)
To mark the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, FEMEN activists staged a topless protest titled “Day of Dependence” in front of the Cabinet of Ministers. Wearing only orange skirts, they used lawnmowers to destroy a lawn arranged in the shape of a trident, symbolizing their critique of the country’s political dependency. One of the activists was detained by the police.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at NSC “Olimpiyskiy” During Michel Platini’s Visit
September 27, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (NSC “Olimpiyskiy” Stadium)
During UEFA President Michel Platini’s visit to the NSC “Olimpiyskiy,” FEMEN activists staged a protest they called “Euro Frenzy,” where they simulated an act of self-immolation in front of Platini and other UEFA officials. This dramatic gesture was intended to protest UEFA’s plans, which the activists criticized as turning economically weak Ukraine into a “Sex Land” for football fans. FEMEN condemned UEFA’s “scorched earth” tactics toward underdeveloped countries and demanded an educational campaign to discourage sex tourism and the financing of the sex industry. Four activists were arrested during the protest and were taken to the Pechersk District Police Department.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at Pechersk Court (“FEMEN vs. Tymoshenko Supporters”)
September 28, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (Pechersk District Court)
FEMEN activists staged a protest outside the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv during a hearing related to the arrest of their members for a previous protest at the Olympic Stadium. Wearing makeshift muzzles to symbolize the suppression of free speech, the activists clashed with supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko, who were also gathered at the court. The situation escalated as Tymoshenko’s supporters insulted and threatened the FEMEN activists, leading to a tense standoff between the two groups.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Topless Protest at NSC “Olimpiyskiy”
October 8, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (NSC “Olimpiyskiy” Stadium)
A topless FEMEN activist ran onto the field at NSC “Olimpiyskiy” stadium in Kyiv during a major event attended by President Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Volodymyr Lytvyn. The activist, bare-chested, aimed to reach the center of the field but was quickly intercepted and removed by stewards. The stadium was nearly full, with a capacity of about 70,000 people.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest on the Roof of TSUM (“Turn On Your Brain”)
October 11, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (TSUM Department Store)
FEMEN activists climbed onto the roof of the TSUM department store in Kyiv, covering the letter “Ц” in the store’s name, leaving only “УМ,” which means “brain” in Ukrainian. They placed a banner next to it with the message “Turn On Your Brain,” calling for an end to violent confrontations between supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko and law enforcement. The activists also displayed a banner with the provocative slogan “Ю і Я – одна х…я” (“Yulia and Yanukovych are the same crap”), and threw leaflets from the rooftop, while Tymoshenko supporters below reacted by throwing objects at them.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Kyiv Zoo (“Zoo Morgue”)
October 27, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested against the conditions in the Kyiv Zoo by renaming it the “Zoo Morgue” and demanding its closure.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at the Residence of Dominique Strauss-Kahn
October 31, 2011
Location: Paris, France
FEMEN activists, dressed as maids, protested outside the residence of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, addressing him with the phrase “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” to highlight issues of sexual violence and abuse of power.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Silvio Berlusconi
November 5, 2011
Location: Rome, Italy
FEMEN activists, painted in the colors of the Italian flag, participated in a demonstration organized by the Italian Democratic Party to protest against Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. This protest took place amid growing concerns over Italy’s financial situation, with the International Monetary Fund set to monitor Italy’s financial reforms.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at the Vatican
November 6, 2011
Location: Vatican City
FEMEN activists protested in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, calling for women’s freedom during Pope Benedict XVI’s Angelus prayer.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest at the Vatican for Women’s Freedom
November 6, 2011
Vatican City (St. Peter’s Square)
During Pope Benedict XVI’s Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, a FEMEN activist held a placard demanding freedom for women. This protest aimed to highlight the group’s opposition to the Catholic Church’s stance on women’s rights.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest for Yulia Tymoshenko (“Collecting 1.5 Billion for Tymoshenko”)
November 3, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists staged a protest in Kyiv, symbolically collecting 1.5 billion UAH to bail out former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from prison. Dressed as nurses from a fictional “FEMEN Bank,” they used fake money to highlight what they saw as the political persecution of Tymoshenko, emphasizing their stance against the government’s treatment of her.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against Prostitution in Zurich
November 10, 2011
Zurich, Switzerland
FEMEN activists staged a topless protest on an official prostitution street in Zurich, holding a banner that read “Woman is not a commodity.” The protest was aimed at condemning the commodification of women and opposing prostitution.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at the European Parliament
November 10, 2011
Location: Strasbourg, France
FEMEN activists protested against prostitution and the sexual exploitation of women in the context of the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against Prostitution at EURO 2012 Final Draw
December 2, 2011
Kyiv, Ukraine (Olimpiyskiy Stadium)
FEMEN activists staged a protest a few hours before the UEFA EURO 2012 Final Draw ceremony in front of the Olimpiyskiy Stadium. They held placards with slogans like “EURO-2012 without prostitution” and “UEFA attacked our gates,” condemning the expected increase in prostitution during the tournament.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
Live
Protest Against a Meeting of Opposition Parties
December 3, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested against a meeting of opposition parties in Kyiv, claiming that the organizers had promised money to attendees. The activists were met with police resistance as they attempted to disrupt the event, highlighting concerns about the motivations behind the gathering.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow
December 9, 2011
Location: Moscow, Russia
FEMEN activists protested in front of the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow against alleged election fraud in the Russian parliamentary elections and criticized Vladimir Putin’s political activities.
FEMEN ACTIONS IN 2008
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Protest Against the Lack of Women in Azarov’s Government
December 16, 2011
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
FEMEN activists protested against the lack of women in Prime Minister Mykola Azarov’s government by climbing onto a fence in front of the Cabinet of Ministers building.