At anti-Netanyahu protests in Israel, pink is the new black

'Pink Front' group participates in demonstrations against PM each Saturday, calling for him to step down over corruption charges; many members are artists hit hard by lockdowns, who have chosen color they say represents love, optimism and female leadership

Reuters|
It's Saturday night in Jerusalem and a group of protesters dressed in fluorescent pink are preparing to join a weekly demonstration outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence demanding he quit.
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  • They call themselves the "Pink Front," and participate in anti-Netanyahu protests that are held across the country each Saturday, drawing thousands of people calling for Israel's longest-serving leader to step down over corruption allegations, which he denies.
    5 View gallery
    Karin Brauner, Sharon Saguy and Yarden Grosser members of the 'Pink Front' protesters play drums as they march during a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem
    Karin Brauner, Sharon Saguy and Yarden Grosser members of the 'Pink Front' protesters play drums as they march during a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem
    Karin Brauner, Sharon Saguy and Yarden Grosser of the 'Pink Front' protesters play drums as they join a march at a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Many Pink Front members are artists and performers, a community that has been hit hard by coronavirus lockdowns.
    With theatres closed, the demonstration becomes a street performance venue.
    Amid a splash of pink bandanas, flags and shirts, other groups wear black to lament Netanyahu's continued stewardship, permitted by law, while under criminal indictment.
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    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare for the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare for the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare for the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    (Photo: Reuters)
    The demonstrations begin peacefully but often end with police moving in to arrest protesters who refuse to disperse.
    At one protest, Sharon Saguy, 54, a flamenco dancer and choreographer, is surrounded by activists painting their faces pink.
    She teaches them that night's rhythm as they bang on their makeshift drums.
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    'Pink Front' member Sharon Saguy sits with her husband Roni Cohen at their Jerusalem home, Nov. 2020
    'Pink Front' member Sharon Saguy sits with her husband Roni Cohen at their Jerusalem home, Nov. 2020
    'Pink Front' member Sharon Saguy sits with her husband Roni Cohen at their Jerusalem home, Nov. 2020
    (Photo: Reuters)
    On some nights she shows up as a "Goddess of Justice" in a golden-green gown with a matching crown, coronavirus mask and scales of justice.
    "Creativity is a way of life," Saguy says from her home in Jerusalem, where a megaphone and pink protest outfits sit beside her flamenco costumes.
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    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare flags in Tel Aviv ahead of the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare flags in Tel Aviv ahead of the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    Members of the 'Pink Front' prepare flags in Tel Aviv ahead of the weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem, Oct. 2020
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Pink Front has a few thousand supporters on Facebook.
    Pink, group members say, represents love, optimism and female leadership.
    Netanyahu has called the protesters "anarchists", accusing them of failing to take coronavirus precautions at the demonstrations and seeking to topple a democratically-elected leader.
    5 View gallery
    'Pink Front' member Yarden Grosser applies face paint as she takes part in a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem last OCtober
    'Pink Front' member Yarden Grosser applies face paint as she takes part in a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem last OCtober
    'Pink Front' member Yarden Grosser applies face paint as she takes part in a weekly anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Jerusalem last October
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Karin Brauner, 34, a set and costume designer and Pink Front member who crafts some of the protesters' outfits, shrugs off criticism from Netanyahu, who is seeking a sixth term in a March 23 election.
    "Through our optimism and the smart performances, we can make a great impact, because those who don't agree with us, we make them listen," she said.
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