Activists stand up against France's burkini ban
As the burkini ban heads to court in France today, activists worldwide have added their voices to calls for the country to reverse the ban on the full-body swimsuits.
A fierce debate was triggered after images went viral of police surrounding a woman in a headscarf on a Nice beach as she removed a long-sleeved top.
She was then fined and she left the beach, the officials added.
Nice has become the latest of at least 15 French towns to impose the law following last month’s truck attack that left 86 people dead during Bastille Day celebrations.
President Francois Hollande has also come under fire on social media after stating that life in France "supposes that everyone sticks to the rules and that there is neither provocation nor stigmatisation".
Women outside London's French Embassy held a beach party in protest against the law. See the video below.
Social media has been abuzz about the issue.
So Sarkozy calls the burkini a 'provocation.' Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we're always, always 'asking for it.'
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 25, 2016
Women forced 2 conform to dress code to make point that women "forced" 2 conform 2 religious dress code not OK...? https://t.co/Z10mOqsm3p
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) August 24, 2016
Islamists have become advocates for women's rights overnight. How about women's rights in Muslim countries? #BurkiniBan
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) August 26, 2016
Men: Stop telling women what to wear https://t.co/eHdQ7kPq4y #BurkiniBan pic.twitter.com/zG5l6wrbW5
— Ann Telnaes (@AnnTelnaes) August 25, 2016
"The city has no right to tell me how I shall wear my clothes. It is none of their darn business."
— Barry Tuck (@BarryTuck) August 24, 2016
~ Louise Rosine, 1921.#burkiniban