page_title: Law 2013-404
section_title: Opposition marches
hierarchical_section_title: Law 2013-404 / Public reaction / Opposition marches
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Manifestation à Paris (France) contre le projet de loi ouvrant le mariage aux couples de personnes de même sexe, 13 janvier 2013. English: Demonstration against same-sex marriage in Paris, 13 January 2013. Español: Manifestación en contra el proyecto de ley abriendo el derecho de casarse a las parejas homosexuales, Paris, 13 de enero del 2013.
context_page_description: The law opening marriage to same-sex couples, no. 2013-404 is a French law which, since 18 May 2013, grants same-sex couples the right to marry and jointly adopt children.
  It was first introduced to the National Assembly of France on 7 November 2012 as Bill no. 344. On 12 February 2013, the National Assembly approved the bill in a 329–229 vote. The Senate approved the full bill with a 171–165 majority on 12 April with minor amendments. On 23 April, the National Assembly approved the amended bill, in a 331–225 vote, and following approval of the law by the Constitutional Council of France, it was signed into law by President François Hollande on 17 May and published in the Journal Officiel on 18 May 2013, with the first marriages under the law scheduled for 29 May.
context_section_description: In January 2013, three big marches converged on the Champs de Mars, a large park next to the Eiffel Tower. Demonstrators carried placards with slogans such as: "We don't want your law, François" and "Don't touch my civil code". A French comedian and self-described "born-again Catholic", Frigide Barjot, led the march. She told French TV that same-sex marriage “makes no sense” because of the right of children to a mother and a father. The anti-same-sex marriage movement was led by Alliance VITA, a conservative anti-abortion organization founded by former deputy Christine Boutin.
  This was among the largest demonstrations of any kind in Paris since 1984. Opponents include religious leaders (Catholic, some Protestant churches, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims), associations defending the rights of the children and families, atheists, and even a group of gay people against same-sex marriage.
  Altercations between opposition protesters and police escalated on 24 March 2013, when protesters straying from the permitted route of opposition protests attempted to cross the police blockade of the Champs-Élysées, resulting in tear gas being used against the protesters to drive them back.
  Following the announcement of the French parliament's vote results in early April 2013, those in opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France participated in public protests. In both Paris and Lyon, violence erupted as protesters clashed with police; the issue had also mobilised right-wing forces in the country, including neo-Nazis. In the wake of the results, Hollande stated: "I seek and I call on everyone to seek peace. That means understanding and respect. Because everything now needs to be concentrated on and devoted to what is essential: the economic success of our country and national cohesion."
  On 26 May 2013, opponents of the law staged another mass protest in Paris. French police estimated the number of protesters to be 150,000, while organisers claimed that one million were present. A total of 293 arrests were made and six people were injured during the demonstration, while up to 500 people began attacking the police following the march's conclusion. Several prominent politicians and activists were involved in the march, such as leader of the UMP party Jean-Francois Cope.
caption: "Manif pour tous" rally against same-sex marriage, Paris, January 2013.
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