135 personalitiesincluding comedian Muriel Robin, former skater Sarah Abitbol and former minister Aurélien Rousseau, signed an open letter published by Liberation this Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In this missive addressed to Emmanuel Macron, the latter demand the withdrawal of the Legion of Honor from Gérard Depardieu in cases of gender-based and sexual violence.
“We, the signatories of this letter, who are or have been ministers, parliamentarians, decorated personalities who proudly wear the insignia of the Republic, refuse to allow their brilliance to be tarnished by the maintenance in order of personalities implicated for sexist and sexual violence. The credibility of our institutions and justice towards those who suffer this violence are at stake.“, we can read.
Four personalities targeted by this request
These 135 signatories, including parliamentarians and figures from the artistic world, draw the attention of the President of the Republic to four personalities: Gérard Depardieu, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, Joël Guerriau and Jean-Vincent Placé.
Each personality mentioned in the letter is either indicted or convicted for acts of sexual violence.
Gérard Depardieu, accused by several women, is the subject of indictment for rape and sexual assault. Senator Joël Guerriau, for his part, is indicted for “administration of a substance with the intent to commit rape or sexual assault“, following the complaint of MP Sandrine Josso, herself a signatory of the letter.
Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, the emblematic former presenter of TF1, is also indicted for rape and has been accused by numerous women. Finally, former senator Jean-Vincent Placé, already convicted of sexual harassment, is the subject of indictment for sexual assault.
A response from Emmanuel Macron expected
“A suspension of the orders, while justice does its work, would in no way contravene the presumption of innocence. The medals would then be withdrawn or reinstated – depending on a conviction – or not“, indicate the 135 personalities.
For now, Emmanuel Macron has not yet reacted to this request. It therefore remains to be seen what decision the President of the Republic will take.
One thing is certain, many people are waiting for his response, while he is already going through a particularly intense period of crisis.
