Paris Mayor Assaulted by Far-Right Activists at Nuit Blanche Festival

Paris officials announced they will file a complaint after the mayor of the 10th arrondissement was assaulted during an event for the Nuit Blanche arts festival. The incident occurred when far-right activists attempted to block the opening of the Saint-Laurent church, where an artwork was to be displayed. The city affirmed its commitment to artistic freedom and vowed to protect culture from conservative fundamentalism.

The city stated that "fundamentalist far-right activists" sought to prevent the public opening of the Saint-Laurent church in Paris's 10th arrondissement. Their aim was to disrupt an artwork for the "Nuit Blanche" festival, which this year is dedicated to love. The activists reportedly organized a street prayer near the church, which is owned by the City of Paris.

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I was jostled with my team. I personally received blows from these individuals, who wanted to prevent us from entering.

During this action, the mayor of the 10th arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard, and her team were reportedly attacked. "I was jostled with my team. I personally received blows from these individuals, who wanted to prevent us from entering," the elected official stated on X.

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The City brings its full and entire support to the artist and reaffirms its commitment to artistic freedom, the plurality of cultural expressions, and democratic debate.

The artwork, "Sous la peau du ciel" by artist Marie-Luce Nadal, was eventually presented to the public after police intervention, according to the municipality. The city issued a statement expressing "full and entire support for the artist" and reaffirming its "commitment to artistic freedom, the plurality of cultural expressions, and democratic debate."

Paris also promised to "protect the world of culture from conservative and reactionary fundamentalisms." A separate statement from Paris deputy Pouria Amirshahi accused the group Civitas, officially dissolved in late 2023, of being responsible for the action. Civitas had reportedly called on its activists to disrupt this edition of Nuit Blanche, whose artistic director, DJ Barbara Butch, has faced cyberbullying.

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Paris will ensure, today as tomorrow, to protect the world of culture from conservative and reactionary fundamentalisms.