At least three feminist activists were detained on Friday following their protest against Russia's war on Ukraine, which included vandalizing the "Broken Chair" monument outside the United Nations complex in Geneva. Two members of the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN acted provocatively, using chainsaws to cut large gashes in the wooden sculpture, which symbolizes the suffering caused by landmines.
The protest unfolded as part of FEMEN's continued outcry against the perceived inactivity of the U.N. concerning the conflict, which escalated following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The activists, adorned with bands representing the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, painted messages such as "stop mines" and "F—- Russia" on their bare skin, expressing their frustration directly through both their art and their words.
Images from the scene showed the two topless demonstrators, one of whom had white flowers woven through her hair, shouting against both the U.N. and Russian forces as they worked to deface the sculpture. "The U.N. was created to prevent conflicts, but its inability to act against aggressors like Russia adds pain to symbols like the Broken Chair," read the group's statement, highlighting their call for more resolute action from international bodies.
The "Broken Chair," created by Swiss artist Daniel Berset and installed on the Place des Nations in 1997, stands at 12 meters (approximately 40 feet) tall. It was originally erected to raise awareness around the catastrophic effects of landmines, making it an ironic target for the activists who saw it as emblematic of their message.
Eyewitness reports confirmed the immediate response from police, who intervened at the scene to detain the women. Initially, three activists were taken away for questioning, which included both the women actively vandalizing the sculpture and one fellow colleague.
FEMEN, founded in Kyiv back in 2008, has gained notoriety for its bold and often topless demonstrations against various social and political issues across Europe. Their actions consistently draw attention—whether it's tackling issues of sexism, homophobia, or now, the war waged against their homeland.
The protesters shouted slogans as part of their demonstration, including directly calling for Russia's expulsion from the United Nations. This call to action resonates with their broader narrative—one asserting Ukraine's precarious position as both victim of aggression and collateral damage within the international political framework.
"Ukraine has become the casualty of betrayal and warfare, and the world can’t just hide behind monuments as if everything is fine," stated their group’s spokesperson, reinforcing the urgency of the matter at hand.
Numerous passersby reacted differently to the protesters: some cheered them on, others criticized their tactics as counterproductive. While the group's actions provoke debate, one thing remained certain—their message about the atrocities of war, and the need for action against the aggressor, was unequivocal.
Internationally, the conflict continues to rage, with reports of war crimes and humanitarian crises arising as result of Russia’s military strategy since it annexed Crimea in 2014 and expanded aggressive operations throughout Ukraine.
The incident at the United Nations was not only about the protest itself but served as yet another rallying call to raise awareness about the dire situation being faced by civilians back home. The symbolic act of defiling the "Broken Chair" brought forth fresh conversations about the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of governmental and international responses to crises.
Despite the activists' tumultuous disruption of the monument, their action presents both risks and urgency upon the international community, which is observed closely amid rising tensions across various global frameworks.
Witnessing such extreme measures raises larger questions about the responsibilities of international organizations and nations alike toward humanitarian efforts, especially when the very issues they represent remain unresolved.
Following their rapid detainment by Geneva police, thoughts turn toward the women’s next steps, as they display efforts to catalyze global discourse on such important issues surrounding peace and security.
