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French Culture Minister seeks stronger sanctions for obstructing performances after Barbara Butch attack
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French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard announced on July 31, 2026, that she is sending two circulars to prefects and public prosecutors to strengthen enforcement of sanctions against the offense of obstructing artistic expression. The move follows the violent interruption of DJ Barbara Butch's concert in Grenoble on July 18 by pro-Palestinian activists, who threw glass bottles and projectiles at the stage. Pégard also intends to strengthen the 2016 law on freedom of creation (LCAP) through an interministerial plan. The circulars, co-signed by the Interior and Justice ministers, aim to reaffirm the rule of law against censorship. The activists targeted Butch for her participation in an event at the French ambassador's residence in Israel and her support for an 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.
In an interview with Le Parisien on Friday, July 31, the minister announced that two circulars—addressed to prefects and public prosecutors—are being prepared to strengthen provisions and reaffirm the rule of law as a bulwark against censorship. The minister's office confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the circulars are in development. One will be co-signed 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," Pégard said, as quoted by Le Parisien.
In addition to the two circulars, the minister 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 ensure effective protection of creative freedom across the entire territory."
"Unacceptable"
Pégard's statements came in response to the disruption of Barbara Butch's concert in Grenoble on July 18, which was interrupted by pro-Palestinian activists.
"It was unacceptable," the minister commented. She had received the 45-year-old Jewish artist a few days after the event.
The concert was interrupted after approximately twenty minutes. The municipality, which filed a complaint alongside Ms. Butch, reported "thrown glass bottles" and other projectiles "deliberately aimed at the stage."
The activists criticized the DJ for her participation in 2025 in an event organized at the residence of the French ambassador to Israel, and for signing an opinion piece in favor of the Yadan bill, which aimed to "fight new forms of anti-Semitism." The bill was contested and later 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