Epress.am News from Armenia
It seems it’s never too cold for FEMEN. Despite temperatures dipping to minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit (about -24ºC), members of the Ukrainian activist group protested outside the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom — topless, The Huffington Post reports.
According to the Associated Press, the women held signs reading “Gas Racket” and “Gas Gangsters,” accusing Russian Prime Minster Vladimir Putin and Gazprom of subjugating Ukraine and Europe through its gas policies.
According to the Russia Times, FEMEN’s official blog notes that the group is targeting Russia’s “gas terror” against Ukraine during the country’s freezing winter.
“The organization is also protesting against Russia’s gas pressure, price monopoly, takeover of national gas transportation, and forcing gas-depending countries into dead-born political and economic unions,” the blog reportedly reads.
Gazprom is the biggest producer of natural gas in the world.
FEMEN was formed by radical feminists in 2008 to protest gender discrimination in post-Soviet society, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. The group has since expanded its efforts to include subjects such as international women’s issues, human rights, and opposition to Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin.
“Topless protests are probably the strongest and most effective form of peaceful and nonviolent protests to attract attention,” Anna Hutsol, one of FEMEN’s leaders, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in an interview.
“You can throw a grenade, go on hunger strike, blow something up or shoot someone. Or you can go out topless,” Hutsol said.
