News
Blood in the Fountain: Paris Protest Turns Iconic Landmark Red in Gaza Ceasefire Plea
Paris witnessed a powerful act of protest on Wednesday, May 28, as the water of the Fountain of the Innocents in the city’s centre was dyed blood-red by pro-Palestinian activists demanding urgent action in Gaza. Organised by Greenpeace France, Oxfam France, and several humanitarian organisations, the dramatic protest aimed to “denounce the ongoing massacres in Gaza” and highlight the French government’s slow response to what they called a dire humanitarian crisis.
The protest’s centrepiece — the deep red water flowing through the historic fountain — symbolised the bloodshed in Gaza, a stark visual representation that quickly gained traction across social media. Protesters stood barefoot in the water and held signs reading “GAZA: STOP THE BLOODBATH”, “MACRON MUST (FINALLY) ACT”, and a clear demand: “CEASEFIRE.”
In an official statement, Greenpeace France said the visual protest was designed to urge the French government to “wake up” to the scale of suffering in Gaza. “This operation aims to denounce France’s slow response to the dire humanitarian emergency facing the people of Gaza today,” the organisation wrote.
The timing of the protest coincided with heightened international concern about Israel’s expanded military operations in Rafah and across Gaza. A joint statement by the leaders of France, the UK, and Canada expressed deep unease: “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.” The coalition added that they “strongly oppose” further escalation of Israel’s offensive.
While President Emmanuel Macron has publicly called for a ceasefire and criticised Israeli actions in Gaza, activists say his words have not translated into meaningful diplomatic pressure or humanitarian support. Wednesday’s protest demanded that Emmanuel Macron “finally act” and take a firmer stance to help stop the violence.
View this post on Instagram
The Fountain of the Innocents, situated in Les Halles, is a centuries-old Parisian landmark renowned for its artistic elegance. Its transformation into a pool of “blood” was a jarring but calculated move by activists to awaken public consciousness and global media attention.
Online, the reaction to the protest was immediate. Videos of the fountain flooded TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users expressing solidarity with Palestinians and applauding the protest’s creative urgency. Others debated the ethical lines of civil disobedience, though most agreed the message was impossible to ignore.
This symbolic act adds to a growing wave of international pro-Palestinian demonstrations, from U.S. university encampments to global ceasefire rallies. Activists continue to pressure Western governments to stop what humanitarian organisations describe as a mounting humanitarian catastrophe.
As Gaza’s death toll rises and the world watches in horror, the question echoes louder than ever: Will the red fountain in Paris be the image that finally moves leaders to act?
