On February 21, 2019, environmental activists rush into the town halls of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, Biarritz and Ustaritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). In a few minutes, they grab the official portrait of Emmanuel Macron, take a few shots and leave with their trophy under their arms.
Read also: The portrait of Macron won in town halls by climate fighters
A year later, this “civil disobedience” operation has spread, with now 134 “unhooked” portraits. The movement is constantly trying to reinvent itself. And justice has seized the phenomenon, condemning several activists to fines of a few hundred euros, firm or suspended. Le Figaro takes stock.
● 134 “unhooked” portraits
At the origin of this idea of “taking down” the portraits of the Head of State, who first took shape under the name of “Sortons Macron” then became “Décrochons Macron” , an ecological group: ANV-COP 21. “ANV” for Nonviolent Action, COP21 with reference to the summit on climate change which took place in Paris in 2015.
Through this highly symbolic operation, the activists want to "highlight the climate emergency and alert public opinion to the fact that in matters of ecological transition, the president has great speeches, but that actions do not follow not. We are picking up Macron because we are picking up the Paris agreements , "explained a spokesperson for ANV-COP 21 at Le Figaro in June 2019. A bet won, at least in terms of visibility: each" dropout "makes people talk about social networks, is reported by the local press and sometimes interests the national press.
In one year, 134 portraits are "taken down", that is to say a little more than one every three days on average. The operation begins on the wheel caps. During the first six months, 128 trials were stolen from town halls. The objective of 125 portraits "won" before the G7 of Biarritz in August 2019 - 125, like the name of days "that it was enough in 2019 for France to exceed its annual ecological footprint" - is achieved and even exceeded. Since then, the pace has slowed: between September 2019 and February 2020, only six “stalls” took place.
● Punch actions
Once the portraits have been stolen from town halls, there is no question of letting them collect dust in the cellars or cupboards of the “dropouts”. ANV-COP 21 decides to make them go on "outings" : at the "Assembly of assemblies" of "yellow vests", in the processions of May 1, on a natural site in Loiret "threatened by a highway bridge project" ...
On August 25, in the middle of the G7 in Biarritz, several hundred demonstrators gathered in Bayonne, brandishing upside down some of the portraits stolen from town halls. "We wear them backwards to signify the lack of sense of politics" of the head of state, explains an activist.
Read also: IN IMAGES - Upside down portraits of Macron brandished in Bayonne
During the G7 in Biarritz, activists organized a "portrait march" in Bayonne. GEORGES GOBET / AFP
On December 8, in the middle of Madrid's COP-25, activists gathered in Place du Trocadéro, in Paris, and brandished again portraits of Emmanuel Macron upside down in front of the Eiffel Tower. "100 portraits, the number of days remaining before the French municipal elections" , specify the organizers.
Activists hold up portraits in front of the Eiffel Tower, during COP 25 in Madrid and 100 days from the municipal elections. THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
The collective has already announced a week of action approaching the municipal elections, and in particular a rally to be held in front of the Élysée Palace on March 13, on the eve of the first round. The code name of this operation? In the right line of “Sortons Macron” and “Décrochons Macron” , the ecologists have chosen “Macron Unmask” .
● The “tour” of the trials
Not surprisingly, the “dropouts” movement soon found themselves in court. Trials have already taken place before the correctional courts of Bourg-en-Bresse, Strasbourg, Lyon, Paris, Orléans, Bonneville, Grenoble, Bordeaux and Nevers, as well as before the Lyon Court of Appeal. And other hearings are already scheduled between April and October 2020 in Lyon, Privas, Toulouse, Saint-Étienne, Agen, Nancy, Nantes and before the Paris Court of Appeal.
Read also: Unhooking portraits of Macron: trials throughout France
Out of 134 “dropouts”, 19 have already been tried:
The Lyon dropout (February 21) . This was the case that made the most noise. On September 16, the Lyon Criminal Court released two environmental activists who had "won" the portrait of Emmanuel Macron from the town hall of the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon. ANV-COP21 welcomes a “historic decision” . But on January 14, the Lyon Court of Appeal completely reversed this decision and sentenced the two activists to a 250 euro fine. The latter announce that they intend to appeal to the Court of Cassation.
Read also: "Relaxation of dropouts: the Lyon court legitimizes civil disobedience"
Paris dropouts (February 21 and 28). On December 13, eight people were fined 500 euros in Paris, a few months after three “dropping out” operations in the town halls of the 3rd, 4th and 5th arrondissements. They will be tried again in October 2020.
Jassans-Riottier's dropout (March 2) . On June 12, at first instance, five activists were sentenced to a suspended suspended fine of 500 euros and an activist to a firm fine of 250 euros by the Bourg-en-Bresse criminal court for the theft of a portrait of the president of the Republic at Jassans-Riottier (Ain). Sentences confirmed by the Lyon Court of Appeal on January 14, 2020.
The dropout of Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle (March 2) . On September 13, in Orléans, three activists were fined 200 euros suspended for having stolen, on March 2, the portrait of the president of the town hall of Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle (Loiret). A few days later, they decide to file an appeal against this decision. Their appeal trial has not yet been heard.
Kolbsheim's dropout (March 5) . On June 26, the Strasbourg Criminal Court acquitted three defendants who had been prosecuted for having "won" a portrait at the town hall in Kolbsheim (Bas-Rhin). The judges argue that there is no intentional element; the mayor of the small town had in fact been informed of the coming "dropout" and had given his tacit agreement.
The four dropouts in Haute-Savoie (March 8) . On December 5, the Bonneville court declared seven "dropouts" guilty of "meeting theft" of four portraits belonging to the town halls of Sallanches, Domancy, Passy and Saint-Gervais (Haute-Savoie). The seven activists are fined 500 euros suspended.
The five stalls in the Arcachon basin (May 28) . On December 20, the Bordeaux court found eight "dropouts" guilty of stealing portraits of the Head of State in several municipalities in the Arcachon basin. But he postpones the sentence to February 14, warning the activists that they could be dispensed from sentence if they return the portraits before that date. The decision is finally postponed to September 25, pending the judgment of the court of appeal on the guilt of the activists.
The dropout of Saint-Nazaire-les-Eymes (June 26) . Pursued for the "dropout" of a presidential portrait at the town hall of Saint-Nazaire-les-Eymes (Isère), an activist was tried on December 2 and sentenced on December 16 by the Grenoble criminal court to a fine of 500 euros suspended. He decides not to appeal; his sentence therefore becomes final.
The two Nièvre dropouts (July 24). On December 20, in Nevers, four people were sentenced for having "won" portraits in the town halls of Magny-Cours and Gimouille (Nièvre). Three suspended 100 euros fine; one of 200 euros suspended.
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