French prosecutors have demanded topless activists who protested at the Notre Dame Cathedral in support of LGBT rights to pay hefty fines for damages incurred by the state. Nine activists from a group called Femen pounded a large church bell at Paris’ landmark cathedral in February 2013 while expressing their anger towards the Catholic Church for opposing same-sex marriage and celebrating the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.

The bold activists, dressed in pro-LGBT tees and garlands, went on trial earlier this month in a case that pits arguments for freedom of religion against proponents of freedom of speech.

“We are asking for the reparation of moral and material damages because of damage done to the bells, and by extension to religious freedom in France,” said Laurent Devolve, lawyer for Notre Dame. The prosecutor demanded fines of 1,500 Euros against each activist as charges for damaged property.

Inna Shevchenko, leader of Femen, called for a debate concerning the role that religion plays in France. According to her, France may seem secular on the surface but religious practices in the country have deep Roman Catholic roots.

“Religion is an untouchable subject. You can discuss whatever you want, but you cannot question if God exists or how absurd it is to apply rules or traditions of religion in secular state,” she told reporters at the courthouse.

Guards of Notre Dame who pulled the activists away from the church bell were on trial as well, having been accused of violence by the women. The prosecutor demanded the fines against the guards be suspended. The verdict for the trial will be issued on September 10.

Photo Credits: Wikimedia