Paris, Jan 30, (dpa/GNA) – An event at an art school in the city of Mulhouse in the eastern French region of Alsace, has prompted a response from the French authorities.
In the art performance, students could be seen hitting a cardboard police car with sticks, much like a piñata in North America. In response, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez posted on the platform X on Friday: “We must not leave this anti-police ideology unchallenged.” He said he had asked the local prefect to initiate legal proceedings to clarify responsibilities.
Prefect Emmanuel Aubry, who is responsible for enforcing national laws, stated that the performance was unworthy and did not do justice to the achievements of the security forces. He added that the judiciary had been involved.
According to reports, the art performance took place on Thursday.
As seen in a video of the event circulated on social networks, a young man with blindfolded eyes demolishes a very large cardboard figure in the shape of a police car with a stick like a piñata, which is traditionally beaten until its contents are released, usually sweets at a children’s party. The video is accompanied by cheers.
According to the prefecture, the students also read out messages that disparaged the actions of police officers.
Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz described the scene in a post on Instagram as “deeply shocking” and a “very tasteless performance.”
She expressed the view that freedom of expression, including artistic freedom, does not allow and justify all insults. She said she had summoned the director of the school, which is largely funded by public money, to express her disapproval.
GNA