PARIS (AP) — Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, filed a police report for death threats, “public insults,” and “defamation”, and this Friday the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for incitement to hatred. The Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes in France will handle the case.
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Jolly said that he has been "subject to threatening messages and insults on social media criticizing his sexual orientation and his roots mistakenly assumed to be Israeli," according to the statement.
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What are the criticisms against the Paris 2024 Opening?
The Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games generated great controversy in the conservative and Christian world due to an image within a parade of drag queens and other artists, which could have resembled "The Last Supper," the mural painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. Although Jolly has stated on several occasions that he was not inspired by the famous painting, critics interpreted it as a mockery of Jesus and the Bible passage.
Among the people who criticized the artistic piece were Donald Trump, Elon Musk, a far-right French politician, and the French Episcopal Conference.
On the other hand, the socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, expressed her "unwavering support" for Jolly in the face of threats and harassment. "It was a pride and an honor for Paris to be able to count on his talent to enhance our city and tell the world who we are. Paris will always be on the side of artists, of creation, and therefore, on the side of freedom," said Hidalgo in a statement.
Barbara Butch, a popular DJ and LGBTQ+ icon who had a role in the ceremony, also stated that she suffered a wave of online threats. Butch filed a complaint alleging abuse and harassment on the internet, which the police are also investigating.