25 July 2012: Protest against the Olympics Committee

25 July 2012: Protest against the Olympics Committee’s failure to implement principles of equality and neutrality

On 25 July 2012 in conjunction with the opening of the London Olympics, ‘London 2012: Justice for Women’ is organising a protest against the Olympics Committee’s failure to implement principles of equality and neutrality. The group’s concerns include the banning of female athletes in contravention of principles of equality by Saudi Arabia and the inclusion of veiled women in contravention to neutrality principles. The group is also calling for homage to women pioneers in sports, amongst other demands.

The protest begins with a public meeting on the Hispaniola (moored near Embankment tube station) from 10.30am-13.00pm, focusing on the concepts of neutrality versus politico-religious symbols, and how women’s rights to equality and universalism are being ignored and denied by the Olympics Committee. Speakers at the public meeting include representatives of the European Women’s Lobby, secularists and women’s rights defenders, including from countries under Islamic laws.

Drinks, sandwiches and a New-Orleans jazz band will be made available at the meeting.

After the public meeting, delegates, accompanied by the jazz band, will proceed to a festive and symbolic burial of the Olympics Charter and its abandoned principles, and recall the “7 demands for Justice for women in the Olympics”.

NOTES:

A. London 2012: Justice for Women 7 Demands

Three demands against classical gender discrimination:
1. Parity: within Olympic disciplines and events
2. Decision-making bodies: at least 20% of women
3. Homage and visibility: the IOC President should give the Gold medal both to the male and the female marathon winners

Three demands against sexual segregation:
4. No more male only delegations
5. No more delegations wearing politico-religious symbols
6. IOC should no longer support international segregation Games for women organized by Tehran

A more global demand to “build a better world”

7. Fight against: stereotypes (sexism, homophobia, transphobia), segregation Olympics/ Paralympics, prostitution around the Olympics

B. For more information, contact:

Annie Sugier
The Ligue du Droit International des Femmes
The French Coordination for the European Women’s Lobby
Femix’ Sports
LDIF/ 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, Paris 75006, France
Tel: +33 (0)6 38 39 42 92
Email: annie.sugier@gmail.com

Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com