PARIS (AP) — French artist Barbara Butch made a bold statement on Sunday night by carrying the Paralympic torch. This act came after she faced hateful comments about her appearance during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Before showcasing the torch at a musical event in Saint-Cloud, a suburb of Paris, Butch shared her thoughts in an interview with France Info, saying, “I chose not to be afraid to exist in the public space.” The well-known DJ and LGBTQ+ icon emphasized, “I know I represent France just like anyone else.”
Following her performance on July 26, which was part of the Olympic opening ceremony, Butch filed a legal complaint, citing online harassment that included death threats and insults. She wasn’t alone; five other artists, including Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, also reported similar abuse.
Butch reported receiving “tens of thousands of hate messages.” A specialized team has worked to identify “hundreds of individuals who sent … the most violent messages,” she revealed.
“Justice will do its job, and then we will take our fight to the international level,” Butch added, showing her determination to stand against online hate.
Butch was one of nearly 1,000 torchbearers tasked with carrying the Paralympic flame. The flame will be split into 12 torches and will travel to 50 cities across France over the coming days, aiming to showcase communities that promote sports inclusion and raise awareness about living with disabilities.
The relay features various torchbearers, including former Paralympians, young para-athletes, and volunteers from Paralympic associations. It also includes innovators creating advanced support technologies and individuals from non-profit organizations dedicated to helping those with disabilities.
All 12 flames will unite once again in central Paris on Wednesday, concluding the relay with a celebration at historical landmarks along the city’s famous boulevards and plazas, before lighting the cauldron during a three-hour opening ceremony.
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