A column in Le Monde, signed by members of MeeTooMedia, denounces Emmanuel Macron’s support for Gérard Depardieu

By defending Gérard Depardieu, the President of the Republic “validates the culture of rape at the highest level of the State”, believe the signatories

In a column in Le Monde, in the form of a letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron, members of the MeTooMedia association believe that the President of the Republic’s support for Gérard Depardieu sets back the cause of victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.

“Your comments in the show C à vous, on December 20, demonstrate your disinterest in the cause and a total ignorance of the field of sexist and sexual violence,” say the signatories of the column, published on December 27.

Tuesday evening in C à vous, on France 5, the President of the Republic defended the actor, targeted by three complaints for rape and sexual assault, indicted for three years, and filmed making remarks obscene during a trip to North Korea in 2018. Emmanuel Macron declared that he hated “manhunts”it was “a great admirer of Gérard Depardieu (…), an immense actor” Who “makes France proud”, and he insisted on the importance of the presumption of innocence.

“A victim has everything to lose by filing a complaint”

“Gérard Depardieu has been indicted since 2020. This means that serious and consistent evidence has been noted by the investigating judge,” underline the signatories. “What do you do with the presumption of innocence of the complainants?” they ask the president, believing that“a victim has everything to lose by filing a complaint, especially when the accused is known and powerful.”

“The presumption of innocence is a founding principle of French criminal law. It prevents neither victims from speaking, nor journalists from investigating. The press informs society and allows the voices of victims to be collected, who are finally heard and considered. No one should deny their ability to reflect under the cover of presumption of innocence”, they argue.

“You preferred to support the popular actor rather than the unknown victim, sacrificed on the spot of your admiration for this ‘immense actor'”, deplores the forum which criticizes Emmanuel Macron for “reinforces sexist prejudices by making the aggressor the victim who must be left alone (and his genius with it)”.

“The culture of rape at the highest level of the State”

“You could have gone down in history as the president who lastingly advanced the cause of victims of domestic violence and sexist and sexual violence. Conversely, you have – through your words – validated the culture of rape at the highest summit of the State”conclude the signatories.

MeeTooMedia is an association fighting against sexual and gender-based violence in the media, created in November 2021 when women filed complaints against the former TF1 8 p.m. presenter Patrick Poivre-d’Arvor or testified to sexual assault .

Another forum, signed by around fifty artists who defend Gérard Depardieu and denounce a “lynching” media, was published Tuesday by Le Figaro, also sparking strong reactions.