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French Culture Minister seeks stronger penalties for obstructing performances after Barbara Butch attack
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French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard announced plans to strengthen penalties for obstructing artistic performances, following the violent interruption of DJ Barbara Butch's concert in Grenoble on July 18, 2026, by pro-Palestinian activists. In an interview with Le Parisien, Pégard stated that two circulars are being prepared—one co-signed by the Interior Minister and the other by the Justice Minister—to reaffirm legal protections for creative freedom. She also intends to strengthen the 2016 law on creative freedom (LCAP) through an interministerial plan. The incident involved thrown glass bottles and projectiles aimed at the stage. Activists targeted Butch for her participation in an event at the French ambassador's residence in Israel and her support for a contested anti-Semitism bill. The municipality and Butch have filed complaints.
Source report
DJ Barbara Butch at the Le Hameau festival in Saint-Martin-du-Tertre (Yonne), July 25, 2026. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP
The violent interruption of DJ Barbara Butch's performance in mid-July in Grenoble has prompted French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard to call for stronger enforcement of sanctions against the offense of obstructing artistic expression.
Circulars and Legal Measures
In an interview with Le Parisien on Friday, July 31, the minister announced:
"Two circulars, addressed to prefects and public prosecutors, strengthen the provisions and reaffirm the rule of law as a bulwark against all forms of censorship."
The minister's office confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the two circulars are being prepared, as previously mentioned in a plan published by the ministry in April. The office specified that the circulars will be co-signed—one by Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez and the other by Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin.
"The offense of obstructing a performance exists. Those who prevent a concert from taking place can expect sanctions," the minister stated.
In addition to the circulars, Ms. Pégard indicated her intention to strengthen the 2016 law on freedom of creation, architecture, and heritage (LCAP)—which established a specific offense for obstruction—through an "interministerial plan."
The plan, presented in April, had already proposed issuing two circulars "to remind of the applicable legal framework and guarantee effective protection of creative freedom across the entire territory."
The Grenoble Incident
Ms. Pégard's remarks followed the disruption of DJ Barbara Butch's concert in Grenoble on July 18, which was interrupted by pro-Palestinian activists.
- The concert was halted after approximately twenty minutes.
- The municipality reported "thrown glass bottles" and other projectiles "deliberately aimed at the stage."
- Both the municipality and Ms. Butch filed complaints.
"It was unacceptable," the minister commented. She had received the 45-year-old Jewish artist a few days after the event.
Background of the Protest
The activists criticized the DJ for:
- Her participation in 2025 in an event organized at the residence of the French ambassador to Israel
- Signing an opinion piece in favor of the Yadan bill, which aimed to "combat new forms of anti-Semitism"—a bill that was contested and subsequently withdrawn
Le Monde with AFP
Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt DJ Barbara Butch concert in Grenoble