Neda Topaloski, topless protester, crashes Quebec minister's news conference
National Assembly security reviewing the incident
A topless protester staged a dramatic interruption to a news conference held by Quebec's culture minister this morning.
Neda Topaloski entered with a press pass, stormed the room and shouted, "No to Bill 20" and "My uterus, my priority."
Topaloski is a well-known activist with the feminist group FEMEN, which has staged similar protests at several political venues in recent years.
Some critics of the government's Bill 20, legislation aimed at reforming the province's health-care system, say the changes will affect access to health services, including abortions, in Quebec. Health Minister Gaétan Barrette says there is no plan to limit or impede access to abortion services.
The protester took off her top and stood beside stunned Culture Minister Hélène David for more than 20 seconds before she was escorted out by a security officer.
Noemi Cimon-Mattar, a spokeswoman for Quebec's National Assembly, said that security is reviewing the incident.
The National Assembly released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying it may rethink some of its security measures currently in place.
"Once accredited from the press tribunal, members of the media had access to the parliamentary room and press rooms. The event this morning will bring the National Assembly to reconsider this approach," the statement said.
The temporary press pass was issued to Topaloski for Libération Next magazine.