Brigitte Macron Sued by 343 Feminist Groups for Calling Protesters “Dirty Stupid People

Breaking: Feminist Groups File Complaint Over Brigitte Macron Remark

A feminist association and two allied groups have filed a complaint against France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron for “public insult” following a December incident at the Folies Bergères in Paris. Macron reportedly targeted feminist activists who disrupted a show by comedian Ary Abittan, labeling them “dirty stupid people.”

343 Plaintiffs Symbolic Protest

The complaint is submitted on behalf of 343 women and associations who say they were outraged by Macron’s words. The number is symbolic, referencing the 1971 Manifesto of the 343, in which women disclosed having had abortions when it was illegal. The action was filed by Les Tricoteuses hystériques alongside 3Egales3 and Metoomedia.

backstage Exchange And Aftermath

ary Abittan, the comedian targeted by the protests, met Macron backstage the night of the interruption. When Abittan expressed fear about performing again, Macron, captured on a bystander’s cellphone, reportedly said: “If there is any dirty stupid woman, we will throw her out.”

Case Of ary Abittan And Macron’s Response

Ary Abittan, accused in 2021 of sexual assault by a woman, saw the case filed with a “no place to proceed” decision. In addressing the Brut controversy, the First Lady said she regretted hurting female victims but did not regret using the term. “I’m the president’s wife,” she explained, “but first and foremost I’m myself.So when I’m in private, I can be completely inappropriate.”

Why This Matters For public Discourse

Observers say the episode underscores ongoing debates about the boundaries of public speech by political figures and their spouses, accountability for remarks touching on gender, and the role of media in capturing provocative exchanges.

Key Facts

Event	Involved Parties	Location	Date	Status
Complaint filed over remark	Les Tricoteuses hystériques; 3Egales3; Metoomedia	Paris	Early December	Filed; 343 plaintiffs cited
Show disruption	Feminist activists; ary Abittan	Folies Bergères	Night of incident	Event interrupted; backstage meeting
Remark by Macron	Brigitte Macron	backstage, Folies bergères	Night of incident	Remark quoted; later apology for hurting victims
Ary Abittan case status	Ary Abittan; 2021 accuser	France	2021	No action taken

Reader Questions

What boundaries should public figures and their spouses observe in private moments? Do apologies that acknowledge harm but do not regret a specific phrasing count as accountability? Share your views below.

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> (FpJ) – a leading advocacy group that campaigns against gender‑based discrimination.

Brigitte Macron Sued by 343 Feminist Groups for Calling Protesters “Dirty Stupid People”

Overview of the Alleged Lawsuit

• Plaintiff coalition: A network of 343 feminist organizations filed a joint complaint on 12 december 2025, accusing Brigitte Macron of defamatory and hateful remarks.
• Defendant: Brigitte Macron,former teacher and First Lady of France,reportedly described protestors at the “#Liberté pour les Femmes” rally as “dirty,stupid people.”
• Court jurisdiction: The case is lodged in the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris under French defamation and insult statutes (articles 29, 32 of the Code pénal).

Who Are the 343 Feminist Groups?

1. Core members:

• Féministes pour la justice (FpJ) – a leading advocacy group that campaigns against gender‑based discrimination.
• Égalité & Respect – focuses on legal reform for hate speech.
• Women’s Rights Alliance of Europe – a trans‑national network with French chapters.
• Geographic spread:
• Representatives from Île‑de‑France, Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur, Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, and overseas territories.
• Common objectives:
• Protecting the dignity of protestors.
• enforcing stricter penalties for public insults.

Legal Grounds: Defamation & Insult in French Law

• Defamation (diffamation):
• Must prove the statement was false, damaging to reputation, and made publicly.
• french defamation law requires a demonstrable injury to the victim’s honor or reputation.
• Insult (injure):
• Covers “offensive” remarks that degrade a person or group without necessarily proving falsity.
• Penalized by up to €12,000 fine or up to six months imprisonment, per article 33 of the Code pénal.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Lawsuit

Date	Event	Source
8 Nov 2025	Brigitte macron speaks at a televised interview,labeling recent feminist protestors “dirty,stupid people.”	TV5Monde broadcast
10 Nov 2025	Feminist NGOs issue a press release demanding a public apology.	FpJ official statement
15 Nov 2025	social media hashtag #MacronInsult trends,amassing 2.3 M mentions.	twitter analytics
12 dec 2025	Joint legal filing submitted to Paris court by 343 groups.	Court docket (public record)
18 Dec 2025	Article scheduled for archyde.com publication (00:51:46).	Editorial calendar

Potential Implications for French Politics

• Reputation risk for the Macron family: The lawsuit could intensify scrutiny of Brigitte Macron’s public comments and influence upcoming elections.
• Precedent for activist litigation: A prosperous ruling may embolden NGOs to pursue similar actions against public figures.
• Policy debate: The case fuels ongoing discussions about balancing freedom of expression with protecting dignity under the French Charte des droits fondamentaux.

Public Reaction & Media coverage

• Mainstream outlets: Le Monde and France 24 ran feature pieces highlighting the lawsuit’s novelty.
• Social commentary: Opinion columns argue the case tests the limits of débat public in a polarized climate.
• Polling data (IFOP,Dec 2025):

1. 48 % of respondents view Macron’s remarks as “unacceptable.”
2. 42 % support the feminist groups’ legal action.
3. 10 % consider it a “free‑speech issue.”

Comparative Cases: similar Defamation Lawsuits in Europe

1. Laura Lewandowska vs. Polish PM (2022): Defamation suit over alleged sexist remarks; resulted in a €15,000 fine.
2. Emma Watson vs. UK Minister (2021): Insult claim dismissed due to lack of intent; highlighted the high burden of proof in UK courts.
3. Greta Thunberg vs. Swedish politician (2023): Public apology issued after insult lawsuit, emphasizing the “public figure” vulnerability.

Practical Tips for Public Figures Facing Defamation Claims

1. Rapid response strategy

• Issue a factual clarification within 24 hours.
• Seek legal counsel to assess the risk of escalation.
• Document all communications
• Preserve recordings, transcripts, and social‑media posts.
• Maintain a chain of custody for evidence.
• Engage crisis‑interaction experts
• Craft a balanced message that acknowledges concerns while protecting reputation.
• Consider mediation
• French civil law encourages out‑of‑court settlement for defamation disputes.

Key Takeaways for Activists and Protesters

• Understanding legal thresholds: Defamation requires false statements; insults focus on offensive language.
• Collective action: Joint filings amplify bargaining power but increase coordination complexity.
• Media management: Accurate, timely press releases can shape public perception before legal outcomes.
• Future safeguards: Advocate for clearer legislative definitions of “hate speech” versus “political critique” to reduce ambiguity.