Femen Protest Shakes Berlin: Germany’s Role in Supporting Putin Is Shameful
Feminist activist group Femen stages a topless protest in Berlin, confronting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz over Germany’s energy ties with Russia and its role in the Ukraine war.
Editors
Femen Protest Shakes Berlin: "Germany’s Role in Supporting Putin Is Shameful"
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The world has been abuzz since Sunday with striking images from Berlin: two topless women standing alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, their bodies marked with bold statements—"No Money for Russian Gas" and "Stop Financing the War!" The demonstrators, members of Femen, an international feminist activist group known for its provocative nude protests, took center stage in their latest campaign against Germany’s energy policies and its perceived complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Femen Speaks Out on Their Protest
In a public statement, Femen declared their demonstration as a response to "the inaction of the German government in the face of Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine and the ongoing economic stagnation." The activists criticized Germany’s long-standing appeasement policy towards Russia, arguing that "years of political complacency have led to an energy dependency on Putin’s dictatorial regime, which is now waging a genocidal war against the Ukrainian people. This dependence has corrupted German democracy."
"Germany’s Support for Putin Is Shameful"
Femen did not hold back in their critique, asserting that "the German leadership has led the country blindly into a disaster. While Russia continues to destroy Ukrainian cities and murder civilians, it successfully weaponizes its energy exports. Germany’s role in supporting Putin’s agenda is both shameful and painfully evident."
The statement also condemned former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for continuing to justify Germany’s ties with Russia, while slamming Scholz for failing to take decisive action. "The German people are now not only paying the price for high energy costs caused by the naive and dangerous economic strategies of their politicians, but also bearing the shame of their leaders’ inaction against the real evil behind the war in Europe."
A History of Naked Resistance
This is not the first time Femen has targeted Scholz. In 2013, during his tenure as Hamburg’s mayor, activists stormed a senior citizens' center event where he was speaking, bearing slogans such as "Lampedusa is everywhere" and "Stop racism."
Founded in 2008 in Kyiv, Ukraine, Femen has built a reputation for their striking topless protests, which they term "sextremism." Their causes range from fighting against prostitution and far-right movements to protesting Barbie dolls and Germany’s Next Top Model. The feminist group also made headlines for their protests against Berlin’s infamous Artemis brothel.
A Movement That Won't Be Silenced
Despite facing arrests and crackdowns, Femen remains resolute in their mission to expose and challenge injustices worldwide. Their Berlin demonstration is a clear message that they will not stand idly by as political leaders enable autocrats and fund wars through energy dependence.
Whether Scholz and his government take action in response to these calls remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Femen’s bold protests ensure that their message cannot be ignored.
