PHOTOS: International Topless Jihad Day – Women Protest bare-chested Across Europe
Femen activists have declared 4 April "topless jihad day" as a gesture of support for a Tunisian woman who was threatened with death by stoning for baring her breasts online.
[Scroll Down for Photos. Warning: Grafic Content]
Amina Tyler ignited a storm when she posted images of herself with the words "Fuck your morals" written across her chest to the Femen-Tunisia Facebook page.
Another image showing her smoking a cigarette with: "My body belongs to me, and is not the source of anyone's honour", written in Arabic script across her bare chest, was also posted.
As a preacher called for her death over fears "her act could bring about an epidemic", Femen has responded with fury, calling for a "topless jihad day".
In a statement posted on Facebook, the group calls for solidarity against the "lethal hatred of Islamists – inhuman beasts for whom killing a woman is more natural than recognising her right to do as she pleases with
her own body."
Promising the event will mark the beginning of a new Arab Spring, the message urges: "Come to the embassy of the Republic of Tunisia and protest topless, with "My Body Against Islamism!" written on your body."
A further image from the Femen Facebook page featuring Amina Tyler and supporters It adds: "Long live the topless jihad against infidels! Our tits are deadlier than your stones!"
Meanwhile the whereabouts of the 19-year-old are unclear. Some say she is in a psychiatric hospital. Some have expressed fears for her life. Attorney Bochra Bel Haj Hmida insists she has spoken to Amina and that she is home with her family and well.
Yet last month Femen leader Inna Shevchenko said that since abruptly losing contact with the young activist, she continues to fear for Amina’s safety.
She said: "We still didn't hear the voice of Amina and didn't see her face. Until the moment we hear word of Amina about her safety we are searching for her and continuing our international bare breasts support."
One of the pictures of Amina posted on the Femen Tunisia site
In what is believed to be her final interview before her disappearance, Amina told Federica Tourn she believes she will be beaten or raped if the Tunisian police find her.
But she insists she is not afraid: "No, nothing they could do would be worse than what already happens here to women, the way women are forced to live every day."
"Ever since we are small they tell us to be calm, to behave well, to dress a certain way, everything to find a husband. We must also study to be able to marry, because young guys today want a woman who works."
Other groups and individuals have also declared April 4 an international day of action.
More than 106,000 activists have signed a petition calling for those who have threatened Amina’s life to be prosecuted. An open letter calling for an International Day to Defend Amina has been signed by many feminist and atheist activists.
The letter says: "On the day and beyond, groups and individuals can join in by highlighting her case, posting topless photos of themselves and their activism on social media sites, signing a petition, Tweeting #Amina, writing letters in her defence, and more.
On 4 April, we will remind the Islamists and the world that the real epidemic and disaster that must be challenged is misogyny - Islamic or otherwise."
Femen said in a statement they were furious about the "barbarian threats of the Islamists about the necessity of reprisals against the Tunisian activist Amina.
"We are afraid for her life and we call on women to fight for their freedom against religious atrocities.
Femen was founded in 2008 in Ukraine. It claims to be active in 17 countries and to have more than 150,000 supporters.
Below are images from Femen's protests yesterday in Sweden, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, and France.
A warning, nearly every photo depicts nudity, and most contain offensive language.
