On Tuesday, an image of a woman being forced to take off some of her clothes by police on a beach in Nice, France, went viral. (You can see the photo here [1].) The four men were captured wearing batons while standing over the woman who was sunbathing [2] near the scene of the Bastille Day attacks in July [3], according to the Guardian. They reportedly gave her an on-the-spot ticket.
Nice is one of 15 French cities that's banned the burkini [4] — a swimsuit that covers the head and body — saying it "overtly manifests adherence to a religion at a time when France and places of worship are the target of terrorist attacks," reports the International Business Times. Still, many have decried the incident and called it a violation of the woman's rights. Here are some reactions to what's been dubbed #BurkiniGate:
As a woman I am furious As a Muslim woman I would be furious. As Women we should be outraged and stand together, #BurkiniGate [5] #BurkiniBan [6]
— Close Manus & Nauru (@I_stand_for) August 24, 2016 [7]
Telling a woman she must not wear a #burkini [8] is the moral equivalent of telling her she must wear a burkini. #feminisme [9] #burkinigate [10]
— Simon G. James (@TheBlankSimon) August 24, 2016 [11]
Telling someone they can't wear a religious garment is a form of persecution. #burkini [12] #BurkiniGate [13]
— Jesse lee soffer (@jesseleesoffer) August 24, 2016 [14]
#Khartoon [15] - Laws - To cover or uncover? name of freedom, while others in the name of religion #cartoon [16] pic.twitter.com/ZWIVwjHYcN [17]
— ALBAIH (@khalidalbaih) August 24, 2016 [18]
#BurkiniGate [19] What France needs to do. pic.twitter.com/XJ8q04HJ4j [20]
— Ndeye (@MonsieurNdeye) August 13, 2016 [21]
We are not the bosses of anyone, except our kids. Stop trying to be the top dogs. #Burkinigate [22] #mindyourbusiness [23]
— Mai Chee Warren (@MaiCheeWarren) August 24, 2016 [24]
Many have also criticized the burkini ban for being less a matter of religion or clothing and more about the French not wanting to accept a more inclusive society [25].