Thousands demonstrate at feminist strike in Lausanne

Thousands demonstrate at feminist strike in Lausanne Keystone-SDA

Around 3,000 people responded to the call of the collective "Grève féministe Vaud" (Feminist Strike Vaud) in Lausanne on Saturday. They demonstrated "against imperialist wars" on the occasion of International Women's Day on Sunday.

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“Against the austerity policy that is destroying our lives and financing imperialist wars”: This was the slogan under which the demonstrators initially gathered in front of the cathedral. Speeches were held and slogans chanted, as a journalist from the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA reported from the scene.

“No feminism without anti-militarism. No peace without social justice,” shouted one member of the collective. “Support for all people who resist,” another demonstrator echoed. Demands were made for more funding for healthcare, public services and the prevention of sexist and sexual violence, more crèche places and an end to austerity policies.

The demonstration ended at around 5pm at the Esplanade de Montbenon. Colourful placards, music and feminist slogans characterised the demonstration, in which more than 3,000 people took part, according to a count by Keystone-SDA. According to the Lausanne city police, there were 1,200.

Adapted from German by AI/ts

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