Mass Protests Across France Condemn Violence Against Women Amid Ongoing Trial

Thousands gathered in cities across France on Saturday, November 23, to protest violence against women. Demonstrators took to the streets in a widespread call for action, drawing attention to the ongoing trial involving the mass rape of Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot.

Marine Thebaud, a participant in the protests in Avignon, expressed gratitude towards Pelicot for choosing to bring her ordeal into the public eye. «The trial shows that aggressors are not monsters in the street,» Thebaud stated, emphasizing that «they’re Mr. Everybody,» highlighting the pervasive nature of such violence.

The protests coincide with global efforts to raise awareness about gender-based violence and were echoed in multiple French cities, reflecting a nationwide demand for justice and systemic reform. The case of Gisele Pelicot, orchestrated by her own husband, has become emblematic of the hidden yet significant issue within domestic settings.

Participants in these protests have called on French lawmakers and society at large to take stronger measures against such crimes, advocating for better protection for victims and harsher penalties for perpetrators.