PARIS – Several thousand people demonstrated yesterday, with sporadic clashes breaking out, in rallies for and against a draft law to allow lesbian couples to conceive children in France.
The biggest protest against the legislation took place in Angers, in the country’s west, where around 900 people marched, and roughly the same number rallied in favour of it.
Light clashes broke out between the two groups, and local officials said two people were arrested.
Smaller rallies were held in other cities, and in the business district of La Defense west of the capital.
In Rennes, the regional capital of Brittany, fighting was reported when some 250 people opposed to the bill were confronted by 600 who tried to break up their rally.
Police used water cannon and tear gas as they tried to protect the authorised demonstration against the legislation.
“It is the first time in Rennes there has been such an outburst of violence against us,” said Hubert des Minieres of the Manif pour Tous (Protest for Everyone) group that organised the protest.
Three people were arrested, tweeted local police.
In Lille, northern France, around 400 people turned out, including graphic artist Vianney Cuvelier, 53, who told AFP: “I am here to defend children, because I believe that a child born without a father faces discrimination.”
The government has proposed a law on bioethics that will allow all women to benefit from medically assisted procreation.
It is to face a second hearing in the Senate on Tuesday.
The Manif pour Tous movement said it will stage another demonstration today in front of the Health Ministry here.
It claims to defend “traditional family values”, and tried unsuccessfully to prevent the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013. – AFP, January 31, 2021
