To support Ms. Tran To Nga before the trial, some French youths covered the bronze statue of Marianne – the symbol of the French Republic – with a giant orange shirt.
Statue of Marianne, symbol of the French Republic wearing orange – Photo: T. DUONG
On May 4, under the slogan “Justice for Tran To Nga”, associations and the public supporting the lawsuit against corporations that supplied Agent Orange – dioxin to the US military during the Vietnam War, took to the streets to protest at République Square – Paris.
The protest took place before the Paris Court of Appeal opened its first session on May 7 to hear the case of Ms. Tran To Nga, with lawyers William Bourdon and Bertrand Repolt, suing Monsanto Company and 13 other chemical companies.
Slogan at the entrance of République metro station reminds that Agent Orange continues to kill people – Photo: TD
While the public gathered to protest at the foot of the République monument, three young French men climbed with their bare hands to the top of the 25-meter-high statue and put on the 10-meter-high bronze statue of Marianne – the symbol of the French Republic – a giant orange vest that had been prepared in advance.
The police department then had to mobilize fire ladders to remove the orange vests, under the boos of hundreds of protesters.
