‘Suffragette’ premiere disrupted by protesters against domestic violence
Protesters hoping to draw attention to domestic violence numbers have disrupted the premiere of ‘Suffragette’ movie in London.
The event was blocked at the event in Leicester Square temporarily by the demonstration.
It was held by Sisters Uncut, who said “the struggle is not over”, pointing to the number of women who die at the hands of domestic violence.
Members of the group laid down on the Red Carpet as guests were arriving, disrupting the event.
Janelle Brown, of the group, told BBC London: “We came to the Suffragette premiere today because the struggle is definitely not over. Dead women can’t vote.”
She went on to claim: “Two women each week are killed in Britain because of domestic violence. Austerity reduces women’s access to legal aid and support services. The most drastic cuts were to specialist services.
“We’re a direct action group and we know that was the tactic the suffragettes used too.”
The event later resumed, and police were not called.
Suffragette, starring Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan, follows East End laundry woman Maud Watts, who became an activist before World War I.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: A general view of protestors at the “Suffragette” premiere at the Opening Night Gala during the BFI London Film Festival at the Odeon Leicester Square on October 7, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Meryl Streep has caused a stir with a t-shirt she wore on a magazine cover, with a feminist slogan promoting the film.
The slogan “I’d rather be a rebel than a slave”, which was taken from a speech by suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, was featured on the t-shirt.
The suffragettes campaigned for the right of women to vote until World War I, when they became involved in efforts for the war.
They used direct action techniques, and even learned martial arts, in order to avoid being overpowered at demonstrations.
