Controversy has erupted in France over the words of First Lady Brigitte Macron, who called some feminist activists "sales connes" (bad bitches) who interrupted the performance of actor Ary Abittan, who has been accused of violence.

"A critique of the radical method used" by the feminist collective #NousToutes, said the entourage of the president's wife.

At the end of 2021, Ary Abittan was accused of rape by a young woman he had been dating for several weeks. After a three-year investigation, the case was closed with no findings, which was upheld on appeal in January ("no case to answer"). However, the actor's return to the stage has been repeatedly challenged by feminist groups.

Last Saturday, protesters stopped the show at the Folies Bergère, chanting "Abittan rapist" and wearing masks. The next day, Brigitte Macron went to show her support. In a video published on the website of the weekly magazine Public, she can be seen speaking with the actor, who, before the show, confides: "I'm scared." "If there are any bad s...t...s, we'll kick them out," Macron replies, laughing. She adds, "Especially masked bandits."

The #NousToutes collective posted the images on their Instagram account: "We are deeply shocked and outraged," said one of the activists. " The words used speak volumes about his vision of things, the political message is extremely shocking ."

(Unioneonline)