PROTESTERS PLACE HIJAB ON STATUE OF JOAN OF ARC

TOULOUSE, OCTOBER 18 /SRNA/ - During civil unrest in France, protesters in Toulouse placed a piece of fabric wrapped like a hijab over the head of a statue of Joan of Arc, a French national heroine.

A video posted on social media shows a protester climbing the monument, placing a Palestinian flag beside its pedestal and draping an improvised hijab over the statue’s head.

The situation later escalated when another demonstrator, in an act of opposition, also climbed the monument to remove the flag and the fabric covering the statue’s face, restoring the monument to its original state.

The incident took place at a 1922 bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, a martyr and national symbol of France, located in Toulouse.

Videos showing the placement and subsequent removal of the flag and hijab sparked heated political debate on social media over immigration, the integration of Muslim immigrants, and symbols of national identity.

There have been no reports so far identifying the individuals involved. French law provides for heavy penalties for acts of vandalism against monuments.