7 charged with cyberbullying after Paris Olympics artistic director's opening ceremony backlash

PARIS -- Seven group person been charged successful relationship pinch cyberbullying targeting Thomas Jolly, nan creator mastermind down nan Paris Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies, French authorities announced Friday.

The online attacks erupted aft Jolly’s acclaimed but arguable opening July spectacle connected nan Seine — a queer-inclusive, high-energy fusion of contented and modernity that, for some, was excessively bold to ignore.

The maltreatment quickly escalated, laced pinch homophobic and antisemitic slurs, and reportedly aimed to soundlessness nan creator intent down nan show. Jolly responded by filing a general title pinch nan Paris prosecutor’s agency connected July 31, prompting an investigation that led to nan “first wave” of arrests, pinch much expected arsenic nan probe unfolds.

The 7 group charged, ranging successful property from 22 to 79, look counts of decease threats, aggravated insults, and cyberbullying — superior allegations carrying nan weight of imaginable situation clip and dense fines.

Jolly, a theatrical maverick known for blending bold taste themes pinch LGBTQ+ celebration, had intended his accumulation that lit up nan City of Light arsenic a vibrant, inclusive portrayal of French diversity. Jolly’s star-studded opening ceremony, featuring queer organization luminaries for illustration Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. However, resistance performers, high-energy runway walks, and — successful peculiar — a segment immoderate interpreted arsenic nan “Last Supper” drew ire from far-right politicians and belief figures crossed nan world.

Hungary’s ambassador to nan Vatican, Eduard Habsburg, denounced nan segment arsenic disrespectful, noting wryly that “decapitating Habsburgs and ridiculizing cardinal Christian events are really nan FIRST 2 things that outpouring to mind erstwhile you deliberation of #OlympicGames.” U.S. Republican statesmanlike campaigner Donald Trump went moreover further, calling nan segment “a disgrace.”

Though Jolly clarified afterward that immoderate resemblance to nan “Last Supper” was unintentional, nan backlash continued to ripple, drafting some disapproval and support for nan inclusion of LGBTQ+ elements.

Amid nan uproar, Jolly told French lawmakers past month that location was a favoritism betwixt constructive disapproval and nan discriminatory attacks he received.

“Critique, that’s my life… but erstwhile it involves discrimination, it becomes criminal,” he said.

Stressing that nan show’s intent was neither violative nor religious, he defended his vision, expressing disbelief that anyone could construe his activity arsenic disrespectful.

“I didn’t group retired to mock immoderate religion,” he emphasized, reflecting that he incorporated references to Notre Dame cathedral arsenic a homage to France’s taste heritage, not arsenic a belief statement.

Support for Jolly has travel from wrong nan creator community, including chap performers who were besides subjected to online abuse. Barbara Butch, an LGBTQ+ advocator and DJ, and Drag Race France big Nicky Doll, who some performed successful nan Olympic ceremony, were among those harassed. Although only Jolly was named successful nan prosecutor’s charismatic statement, nan activity of hostility extended to others progressive successful nan production.

Among nan performers, Hugo Bardin, known arsenic resistance queen Paloma, expressed pridefulness successful nan event’s bold message of inclusion and called it “a really important infinitesimal for nan French group and nan practice of France astir nan world.”

Drag Race France victor Le Filip echoed this sentiment, describing nan ceremonial arsenic a “crowning moment” for nan LGBTQ+ organization and a “postcard for France” that showcased a modern, inclusive nation. He besides expressed daze astatine nan backlash against Jolly’s event.

The prosecutor’s agency Friday emphasized nan seriousness of nan charges and arrests, noting that nan lawsuit reflects a troubling shape of cyberbullying and dislike reside directed astatine salient figures.

It said nan suspects sought to “intimidate and soundlessness expressions of inclusivity” and diverseness successful a highly nationalist and symbolic event.

The arrests are seen arsenic a first measurement successful France’s conflict against cyberbullying, which authorities statement has go progressively sophisticated. In Jolly’s case, prosecutors pointed to nan disturbing “pack behavior” of attackers acting independently to escalate nan harassment, a shape seen successful different online dislike campaigns.

The 7 accused are group to look successful tribunal connected March 5.