Protesters from feminist group Sisters Uncut took over the red carpet of Suffragette's premiere Wednesday, in order to call attention to domestic violence.
[seealso slug="suffragette-stars"]
About 15 women jumped over barriers to lie down on the red carpet, chanting, "dead women can't vote."
We invaded the red carpet to protest cuts to domestic violence services.Austerity´s killing women.#deadwomencantvote https://t.co/mCx0puz3me— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) October 7, 2015
Helena Bonham Carter, who co-stars in the politically charged film, called the protest "perfect."
“I’m glad our film has done something," she told Sky News. "That’s exactly what it’s there for.”
Domestic violence protesters lying on the red carpet at the #Suffragette premiere chanting "WE ARE SUFFRAGETTES" pic.twitter.com/3FBnCBx16Z— Liam Died-en (@LiamDrydenEtc) October 7, 2015
"Dead women can't vote" protest at the #suffragette premiere Leicester Square pic.twitter.com/8WTogVr0rA— Megan townsend (@mmtowns) October 7, 2015
! @SistersUncut occupying the red carpet at the suffragette film premiere. pic.twitter.com/aJXPeooA4U— Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renireni) October 7, 2015
Protesters in the crowd held up signs reinforcing the message, and let off smoke bombs as well
The Sisters Uncut share their full "Feministo" on their website:
We are Sisters Uncut. We stand united with all self-defining women who live under the threat of domestic violence, and those who experience violence in their daily lives. We stand against the life-threatening cuts to domestic violence services. We stand against austerity.
In the UK, two women a week on average are killed at the hands of a partner or ex-partner. The cuts make it harder for women to leave dangerous relationships and live safely.
The film sparked controversy earlier this week when its white stars posed wearing t-shirts that read "I'd rather be a rebel than a slave."
In the same article, Suffragette star Meryl Streep also denied being a feminist, choosing to identify as a humanist instead.