Swiss Artist Milo Moire Performs Naked Protest In Cologne Cathedral After New Year’s Eve Sexual Attacks In Germany; ‘Women Shouldn’t Hide Away’
Swiss artist and model Milo Moire staged a nude protest in front of Cologne Cathedral on Friday to dissent several cases of sexual attacks reported during the New Year's eve. The Telegraph reported Friday that the artist, who was reportedly known for her nude performances, stood in front of the cathedral to show her support on women's right.
Moire was holding a banner, which stated, "Respect us! We are not fair game even when naked!"
Police officers who were in the area asked bystanders to move away from the cathedral square.
"As a woman I want to give an example that women shouldn't hide away, they should lift themselves up, be self-confident and stand up for their values," Moire said, as noted by RT Saturday.
She went on, "I will not let others decide what I should and shouldn't do as a woman, but rather, that it is self-evident that the 50 year-long struggle of emancipated women means that I can enjoy the life that I want, in liberty. This is why I am standing here today."
The nude protest came a few days after more than 100 women reported being sexually assaulted by gang members in Cologne City.
In line with this, Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker said Tuesday that women should follow a "code of conduct" to avoid being harassed in the German city. The remarks received criticisms from Dutch politicians who expressed their opposition in social media.
"There's always the possibility of keeping a certain distance of more than an arm's length - that is to say to make sure yourself you don't look to be too close to people who are not known to you, and to whom you don't have a trusting relationship," the Mayor of Cologne said in a press conference, as noted by NL Times.
D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma tweeted, "You hope that it's a sick joke... upside down world."
PVV leader Geert Wilders posted, "A code of conduct for women?? Total madness, women are victims not offender. Arrest and deport perpetrators quickly!"
According to reports, the cases of sexual assaults came after some 1,000 men divided into gangs. Said men allegedly came from "the Arab or North African region."
Further reports revealed that 31 suspects, including 18 asylum seekers, are now under investigation on the incident.
