French eco-activists storm show jumping event in Paris and unfurl banner referencing British suffragette Emily Davison who was killed by King George V’s horse in 1913
French eco-activists stormed a show jumping competition in Paris to hang a banner referencing British suffragette Emily Davison, who was killed by King George V’s horse.
A few protesters, along with environmental group Riposte Alimentaire, jumped barriers at the Saut Hermes 2024 and ran to the center of the ring.
They then hurriedly pulled a banner out of their backpack and unraveled it, reading “1913 EPSOM – 2024 HERMES: RESIST IS VITAL,” before it was torn away.
It was a tribute to Emily Davison, an English suffragette who tragically died after running from King George V’s horse in 1913.
A pair of demonstrators (photo), involved with the environmental group Riposte Alimentaire, jumped over barriers during the Saut Hermes 2024
They ran to the center of the ring during the event in Paris
They then hurriedly pulled a banner out of their backpack and unraveled it, reading “1913 EPSOM – 2024 HERMES: RESIST IS VITAL,” before it was torn away.
Other people quickly approached the two activists and pulled one of them away, tumbling over a jumping obstacle.
The second protester was then approached but sat down before being arrested and taken away.
The group believes that ‘similar actions’ to those of the suffragettes are needed to tackle the climate crisis.
Saut Hermes 2024 is a horse jumping competition organized at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris.
It attracts large numbers of horse lovers and some of the best riders.
Other people quickly approached the two activists and pulled one of them away, tumbling over a jumping obstacle
The second protester was approached but then sat down before being arrested and taken away
On an Instagram post, Riposte Alimentaire said: ‘Fortunately, the legacy of the suffragettes has been well preserved. On Monday, March 4, thanks to the struggle and tenacity of many female politicians and activists, a historic vote took place in France: the inscription into the IVG Constitution.
‘Proud and proud of this heritage, we believe similar actions are needed to tackle the climate crisis. The transition to a sustainable agricultural model and access to healthy food for all are the reasons that push us to take action.’
Riposte Alimentaire’s name means ‘Food Counterattack’ and according to its website the group is demanding that the French government ensure food security in the country, including the distribution of ‘food cards’ worth €150 per month per person to receive approved purchase food products. .’
The group is an offshoot of the Last Renovation campaign and its website explains how they “led actions across France in 2022 and 2023 to demand an energy renovation plan for buildings.”
It added: ‘Strengthened by a community of civil resistance that achieved an initial victory, the Last Renovation campaign was transformed to tackle an even more ambitious and systemic issue: social security for sustainable food.’
The activists are also part of a wider environmental group – the A22 Network – which is made up of several other organisations, including Just Stop Oil.
This is not the first stunt involving Riposte Alimentaire. Pictured: two other protesters after throwing soup at the Mona Lisa in January
This is the moment activists throw soup at the Mona Lisa in Paris in January
This is not the first stunt involving Riposte Alimentaire.
In January, Sasha, 24, and Marie-Juliette, 63, threw pumpkin soup at the bulletproof glass protecting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in the French capital.
A statement from the Louvre said the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is on display, was evacuated after the demonstration and closed for an hour while cleaning took place before reopening to visitors around noon.
The Paris museum confirmed no damage was caused to the world-famous painting, which hangs behind protective armored glass, but said it would file a complaint.