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ization Ni Putes Ni Soumises (Neither Whores Nor Submissive), which considers the burqa a tool of female oppression. In this talk organized by the University of Chicago French Club, Fadela Amara (Ni Putes Ni Soumises founder and former French minister) describes the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the predominantly poor immigrant neighborhoods surrounding French cities (banlieues) that led to the ban on the burqa. She explains why she considers the wearing of the burqa in public to be both oppressive for women and an assault on the values upon which the French Republic is founded. Furthermore, she discusses the aftermath of the burqa ban in France, the goals that Ni Putes Ni Soumises continues to pursue, its partners at home and abroad, and the impact of the national and international political climate on men and women in the banlieues. Following the talk, Bernard Harcourt moderates a discussion that mixes questions from the Chicago audience with those submitted online by remote audience members in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati. Deborah Joyce serves as the interpreter throughout. Born of Algerian immigrant parents in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Fadela Amara is a French feminist politician and activist. After a 17-year-old girl was burned alive by her ex-boyfriend in the suburbs of Paris, Amara led a nationwide march to discuss the situation of women in the banlieues. In 2003, she founded Ni Putes Ni Soumises (Neither Whores Nor Submissive), one of today's most prominent French feminist organizations, dedicated to protecting and promoting secularism, diversity, and gender equality. In 2007, Amara was named Secretary of State for Urban Policies (Secrétaire d'Etat Chargée de la Politique de la Ville) under President Sarkozy. While in the government, Amara argued strongly in favor of the burqa ban, which became law in 2010. With the Support of: The University of Chicago: France Chicago Center Center for International Studies Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture Student Government International House Global Voices Program International Students Association Alliance Française of Chicago French Consulate in Chicago Chicago Council on Global Affairs ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGOytSubscribe About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research. This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholars to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGO-homepage News: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGO-news Facebook: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGO-FB Twitter: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGO-TW Instagram: http://bit.ly/UCHICAGO-IG University of Chicago on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please email digicomm@uchicago.edu.