6,000 Munich Residents Rally Against Violence Against Women, Supporting Collien Fernandes
Munich, March 30 – Around 6,000 people gathered on Sunday afternoon at Königsplatz in Munich to demonstrate against violence against women and to show solidarity with actress and presenter Collien Fernandes. The protest was sparked by the public revelation of deepfake pornography involving Fernandes and the broader issue of digital violence against women.
The demonstration, organized by the Green Youth, saw participants holding signs with slogans such as “The patriarchy kills. It also kills feelings” and “Stop! in the f***ing name of love.” Agnes L., 48, one of the demonstrators, stated her motivation: “I want to express my anger.” Her companion, Oliver G., 50, added, “Because it also affects me.” Both emphasized the importance of showing presence for this critical issue.
Deepfakes and Digital Violence: The Case of Collien Fernandes
The immediate catalyst for the protest was Collien Fernandes’ public disclosure in “Der Spiegel” about the circulation of fake pornographic videos, known as “deepfakes,” featuring her. She described this as “virtual rape.” Additionally, fake online profiles using her name have been created.
The issue of digital violence, particularly against women, has resonated widely, leading to similar solidarity demonstrations across Germany in cities like Hamburg, Hanover, Berlin, and Cologne. Collien Fernandes herself spoke at the Hamburg demonstration, revealing she receives death threats and requires police and security protection. “One shouldn’t be surprised that so many women simply don’t have the courage to go out and say, ‘this and that was done to me,'” she stated.
Calls for Stricter Laws and Corporate Accountability
Among the speakers at the Munich rally was Katharina Schulze (Green Party), who called for stricter laws against manipulated pornographic content online. “If pornographic deepfakes are produced or forwarded, that must be punishable in the future,” she asserted. Schulze also demanded greater accountability from technology companies, urging them to disclose their algorithms.
Both Schulze and fellow speaker Lydia Dietrich advocated for more stringent prosecution of offenders and increased funding for women’s shelters and organizations that support victims of violence, who are predominantly women. The future Mayor of Munich, Dominik Krause, was also present and received significant applause, although he did not speak.
Widespread Support and Ongoing Concerns
The large turnout in Munich underscores the widespread concern among the public regarding violence against women, both online and offline. The demonstrators’ demands reflect a growing impatience with the current legal framework and the perceived inaction of tech giants in addressing these issues.
While the protest in Munich concluded peacefully, the underlying issues remain a significant challenge. The calls for legislative changes, increased support for victims, and greater corporate responsibility highlight the ongoing struggle to combat violence against women in all its forms.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/solidaritaet-mit-collien-fernandes-6000-muenchner-demonstrieren-gegen-gewalt-gegen-frauen-art-1122037
