PARIS, Sept 13, 2008 (AFP) - A militant group combatting the spread of AIDS hung a banner across the facade of one of Paris's most famous churches Saturday in a protest against Pope Benedict XVI's visit to France.
The banner on the Sacre Coeur basilica read "the condom is life," in a reference to the Roman Catholic Church's objections to the contraceptive device which also blocks the transmission of the AIDS virus.
Activists of the Act-Up association also rolled a hug black carpet edged in pink down the steps leading up to the Sacre Coeur, one of Paris's leading tourist attractions which stands on the Montmartre hill overlooking the capital.
The pope, who was not scheduled to visit Sacre Coeur, arrived in Paris on Friday and was leaving Saturday for the southern pilgrimage city of Lourdes.
080913
AF080915
Copyright ©AFP 2008. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.