Berliner Tageblatt - French Jewish DJ sues after activists disrupt stage show: lawyer

Barbara Butch, previously best known for her controversial appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, was forced off stage during a set in the eastern city of Grenoble on Saturday.

Butch filed criminal complaints in Grenoble and Paris alleging incitement to hatred and violence, assault, and obstruction of artistic freedom among other complaints, her lawyer Audrey Msellati further stated.

"Debate is a freedom. Violence is an offense," Msellati added.

Campaigners and local elected figures from the hard-left France Unbowed political party had targeted her over her decision to sign a petition in support of an abandoned attempt by some French MPs to widen the criminal definition of anti-Semitism.

Critics saw the law as seeking to muzzle campaigners who speak out in favour of Palestinian rights and against Israel's war in Gaza.

The campaign against Butch has caused unease even among supporters of a cultural boycott of Israel, however, and raises questions about who should be a legitimate target for such action.

Butch, a vocal campaigner for the LGBTQ community, has said she was subjected to verbal abuse as well as being targeted by objects thrown onto the stage.

"I wouldn’t wish on anyone—not even on my worst enemy—to feel or go through what I went through last Saturday," the 45-year-old told Franceinfo radio on Thursday morning.

She has said she regretted signing the petition in support of the so-called Yadan draft law on anti-Semitism which was withdrawn earlier this year after major protests and criticism from the United Nations.

Butch shot to fame -- and was subject to an intense online cyberbullying campaign -- after the Olympics opening ceremony in July last year.

She performed alongside dancers and drag queens in a scene that was reminiscent of depictions of the Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus is said to have shared with his apostles.

W.Lapointe--BTB