August 02, (THEWILL) – The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has extended her unwavering support to Thomas Jolly, the Artistic Director of the Olympics opening ceremony, following severe online harassment and death threats.
Jolly filed a complaint with authorities after facing threats and defamation in the aftermath of Friday night’s ceremony. Sections of the ceremony were criticised, with one scene allegedly mocking Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Jolly has firmly denied any intentional link between the scene and the famous painting. Paris’ Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH) is currently investigating Jolly’s complaint.
The complaint includes “death threats on account of his origin, death threats on account of his sexual orientation, public insults on account of his origin, public insults on account of his sexual orientation,” as well as “defamation” and “threatening and insulting messages criticising his sexual orientation and his wrongly assumed Israeli origins.”
Paris prosecutors’ National Centre for the Fight Against Online Hate (PNLH) conducted an initial analysis and referred the case to the OCLCH due to the national dimension of the messages sent.
Mayor Hidalgo praised Jolly’s contributions, stating: “During the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly carried our values high. Paris was proud and honoured to count on his talent to celebrate our city and tell the world what we are all about. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Paris will always stand by artists, creation and freedom.”
Jolly’s complaint has sparked a significant response, highlighting the ongoing issue of online hate and harassment. The investigation continues, aiming to address the threats and provide justice for the artistic director.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
