French first lady Brigitte Macron is facing criticism after a video recorded on 7/12 showed her using derogatory language towards feminist protesters. The footage captured Macron backstage at the Folies Bergere theater in Paris, conversing with Ary Abittan, a French comedian accused of rape.
The previous evening, feminist activists had disrupted Abittan's performance by shouting: "Abittan, rapist!". During their conversation, Brigitte asked Abittan how he was feeling, and the actor replied that he was very scared. Brigitte then called the protesters "Sales connes" (stupid bitches), emphasizing that if they appeared again, "we will throw them out".
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French first lady in Paris on 13/11. *Photo: AFP* |
The French first lady's office explained that Brigitte was trying to reassure the artist, who expressed fear because his performance the previous evening was interrupted. The office clarified that Brigitte only wanted to show her disagreement with the disruptive methods used by the protest group, as was the case on the evening of 6/12.
The feminist advocacy group Nous Toutes (All of Us) stated that activists disrupted Abittan's performance to protest France's "culture of cover-up and tolerance" for sexual violence. Their actions aimed to highlight societal issues rather than target the individual artist.
Abittan was sued in 2024 on charges of raping a woman in 2021. However, due to a lack of evidence, a judge ruled in January to close the investigation. This legal outcome has been a point of contention for many activists.
"We condemn places that roll out the red carpet for men accused of rape, where sexual violence and sexism are normalized. This is a public insult to victims," a statement from Nous Toutes read, underscoring their broader critique.
Left-wing politicians quickly condemned Brigitte's language as insulting and sexist. Former President Francois Hollande stated that she used "vulgar" words. Green Party leader Marine Tondelier remarked that Brigitte's words were "serious" and should not have come from a first lady. French Democratic Confederation of Labor Secretary General Marylise Leon also stated that Brigitte's language was "inappropriate and crude".
Several celebrities supported the feminist activists by posting with the hashtag #salesconnes. Among them was actress and director Judith Godreche, a leader in France's #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. Godreche sued two directors, accusing them of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. "Me too - I am also a 'stupid bitch'. And I support others," she wrote on social media, aligning herself with the protesters.
Meanwhile, right-wing politicians like lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy defended Brigitte, arguing that her remark was made in a private setting. "If all of us were secretly filmed backstage while chatting with friends, I think there would be a lot to comment on," he said, suggesting the context was unfairly scrutinized.
*By Hong Hanh (According to Guardian)*
