Protest of French Ban of Religious Symbols Spans the Globe

January 18, 2004

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Worldwide-protests-over-ban-on-religious-symbols-2829483.php

On January 18, 2004 the San Francisco Chronicle reported, "Thousands of people marched through San Francisco, Paris, London and other cities around the world Saturday to protest France's plan to ban head coverings and other religious symbols from public schools. From Civic Center down Market Street, through Union Square to the French Consulate office on Bush Street, hundreds of protestors, led primarily by Muslim women wearing head scarves, or hijabs, marched peacefully to show support for religious freedom in France. A sea of scarves ranging in almost as many colors of cloth as colors of skin covered several blocks of Market Street, with protesters chanting 'Shame on France' and 'Religious Freedom for All,' and carrying signs that read 'My scarf -- my choice.'"