“Keep your old world, we want one without sexist and sexual violence”: a collective of feminist associations are calling for rallies this Thursday in France, three weeks after the support given by President Emmanuel Macron to Gérard Depardieu. “We call on all those who defend the rights of women, children and gender minorities, and who refuse sexist and sexual violence to rallies,” writes the collective Feminist strike in a press release.
“Since #MeToo, progress has been made. Let us not allow this progress to be destroyed by irresponsible, serious and sexist remarks from the President of the Republic who have undermined the rights of victims and the rights of all women and children,” adds the collective.
A gathering is notably planned for 6 p.m. in Paris. Others are announced in around thirty cities, including Marseille, Lille, Lyon.
A “reversal of guilt” according to feminist associations
Invited on the public channel France 5 on December 20, Emmanuel Macron supported Gérard Depardieu – charged with rape and targeted by three complaints for sexual assault or rape which he refutes –, calling him a “huge actor” who makes “proud the France” and denouncing a “manhunt”.
The Head of State’s comments, made after the broadcast on another public channel of a report during which the actor multiplies misogynistic and insulting remarks while addressing women, shocked part of the population. Feminist associations have described the President of the Republic’s statements as “spitting” in the face of victims of sexual violence, and denounced a “reversal of guilt”.
The government spokesperson and the president of MoDem, a party allied to the President of the Republic, have since distanced themselves from Emmanuel Macron’s position: the first, Olivier Véran, said he was “shocked” by the comments by Gérard Depardieu and the second, François Bayrou, declared having “no indulgence” for the actor.
The call to demonstrate was notably signed by the Feminist collective against rape, the National Women’s Solidarity Federation, the Human Rights LeagueLe Family planning And Dare to feminism.