PARIS — An anti-same-sex marriage protester attempted to disrupt the final of the French Open tennis competition yesterday afternoon in Paris.
The man, wearing a mask, managed to ignite a flare within a few feet of Rafael Nadal.
According to MSN News the incident occurred in the seventh game of the second set with Nadal serving for the set up 5-1 against David Ferrer.
The man was quickly brought down by security officials and then led off court. The words “Kids Rights” could clearly be seen on the man’s chest.
Other protesters at the event called on Francois Hollande, the French president, to resign. The protest was brought on by equal marriage, which was recently signed into law by Hollande
Christophe Fagniez, the tournament’s director of operations said, ”The situation is under control, it’s in the hands of the police.”
Nadal went on to win the final in straight sets, defeating Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Following months of sometimes violent protests, and a substantial rise in homophobic attacks, French President Hollande signed the law making France the fourteenth country in the world to allow equal marriage last month.
Anti-same-sex marriage protesters disrupt final of French Open
