“We march to demand new rights”: the 3rd Pride of Béziers brought together some 300 to 400 people

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

Feminist activist Alice Coffin was in Béziers this Saturday June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes, this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The third Pride of Béziers set off from the Plateau des Poètes this Saturday, June 1st. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

La troisième Pride de Béziers s’est élancée depuis le Plateau des Poètes, ce samedi 1er juin. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

This Saturday, June 1, the third Pride of Béziers, organized by the collective "Fierté Béziers", brought together some 300 to 400 people who set off from the Plateau des Poètes in a march  ;nbsp;to defend the rights of LGBT people and fight against homophobia. Feminist activist Alice Coffin was present to defend "My voice my choice", the European campaign for free and free abortion in Europe.

On the Plateau des Poètes, this Saturday, June 1st, rainbows are everywhere. An associative village brings together a dozen structures, under the leadership of the collective “Fierté Béziers”, organizer of the third Pride which will parade”in the streets of the city.

Among the stands present, that of the movement “Ma voix mon choix”, the European campaign for free and unrestricted abortion in Europe. Feminist activist Alice Coffin coordinates this campaign on a national level and multiplies the stages in different cities, a little more than a week before the European elections. “We have a year to collect a million signatures”, she explains. If this is the case at the European level, the parliament will have to decide on free access to abortion in Europe.

“Weighing on European women”

"The goal is to influence European women, women's rights are absent from the campaign even though it is a major subject", continues the activist . "We already have in one month a historic record of 400 000 signatures", including 63 000 in France. "These steps make it possible to recruit activists and promote the campaign. For example, abortion is very expensive in Croatia. We are therefore in a desire for solidarity. And while we see a rise in the power of hostile forces, particularly when the extreme right is in power. If we don't develop such a powerful network, we have no chance…"

This Saturday, the movement then headed to Perpignan then to Montpellier on Sunday morning, Beaucaire in the afternoon, Avignon on Monday… But before that, he was going to march in the city of Riquet, for this third Pride. "We are marching to claim new rights. Nothing is ever achieved except through struggle,” one of the members said into the microphone. "This day is dedicated to you, enjoy !" The colorful procession could set off to music. As a reminder, the objective of "Fiertés Béziers" is to fight against discrimination and violence against LGBTI + people, their families and loved ones, throughout the Béziers agglomeration.