A group of Muslim women has defied the French laws that dictate burkinis should not be worn in public places by going for a swim in fully-clothed bikinis.
The incident occurred at Jean Bron swimming pool in Grenoble, France, where activists broke the rules and bathed in the controversial garments for an hour before getting apprehended and being forced to pay the fine.
The ‘Operation Burkini’ was organized by Citizen Alliance of Grenoble, a group that promotes Muslim women’s rights, including the right to wear whatever choice of apparel they prefer.
After breaking the rules of the public swimming pool, the women were forced to pay a $40 fine because the staff called the police.
“We have a dream: to have fun in public swimming pools like all other citizens, to accompany our children whenever they want to have a swim while it is very hot in the summer here in Grenoble,” one of the women involved in the protest said in an interview with BBC.
“We must fight against discriminatory policies and prejudice in France, as we are actually deprived of our civil rights of access to public services and city-owned infrastructures.”
The Citizen Alliance started the on-going anti-discrimination campaign last year in an attempt to put pressure on the government to reform the rules affecting Muslim women who want to go for a swim in public pools.
Striking back at the campaign, a member of The Republicans, Matthieu Chamussy, said the protesters should address Grenoble mayor Éric Piolle if they wanted to see change.
“Political Islam is moving forward step by step and the cause of women receding,” he added in an interview.
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