FEMEN Activists Arrested for Vandalizing UN Sculpture

On Friday, members of the feminist group FEMEN staged a provocative protest outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva by vandalizing the 'Broken Chair' sculpture, which symbolizes the devastating impact of landmines in conflict zones. Two topless activists used chainsaws to deface the monument while shouting slogans such as 'Keep Russia out of the UN' and 'Fuck Russia', drawing attention to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the UN's perceived inaction. The protest resulted in the police detaining at least three individuals for questioning. The activists, adorned in Ukrainian flag colors and with messages written on their bodies, emphasized their call for Russia’s expulsion from the UN. The 'Broken Chair' monument, created by Swiss artist Daniel Berset, has been a landmark since 1997, highlighting the need to ban landmines. This protest aligns with FEMEN's history of bold demonstrations against various social issues since its founding in Kyiv in 2008.