The French law that went into effect today does not use the words "women," "Muslim" or "veil," but says that it's illegal to hide the face in a public place. It was pushed hard by President Nicolas Sarkozy, even though only a small minority of the country's five million Muslim women actually wear the burqa. When Parliament passed it, there was widespread public support. Today, there was a protest outside the Notre Dame cathedral. Sophie Pedder is Paris Bureau Chief for the Economist magazine.
KCRW
