A show by the comedian Dieudonné took place on Saturday, January 17 in the commune of Caussols, in the Alpes-Maritimes, despite a prefectural decree issued the day before. About 200 people were present. The gendarmerie intervened during the performance to evacuate the spectators and penalize the offenders. The prefecture cites risks to public order and reminds the public of the judicial convictions against the artist.
On the evening of Saturday, January 17, a show by Dieudonné was held in the commune of Caussols, in the hills above Grasse, in the Alpes-Maritimes. The performance gathered around 200 people. The event occurred despite a prefectural prohibition decree issued the previous day. The gendarmerie intervened during the evening. The spectators were evacuated, and fines were issued.
The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture confirmed the intervention via a statement published on the social media platform X. The text specifies that the prohibition of the show had been pronounced beforehand. The administrative decision was based on elements already known to the State services. The performance was not authorized in the departmental territory.
Prefect Laurent Hottiaux signed the prohibition order on Friday. The document explicitly mentions the comedian’s judicial history. “Considering the convictions of Mr. Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala for statements of an anti-Semitic nature and inciting racial hatred, as well as the consequences of these statements on public order.” The prefecture deemed these elements justified a preventive measure.
Despite this prohibition, the show began on Saturday evening. The State services were informed of the imminent occurrence of the performance. The prefecture stated that the intervention of the law enforcement was decided in this context. The gendarmes went to the scene to enforce the prefectural decree.
According to the official statement, “the gendarmerie units thus went to the site and enforced the prefectural order by evacuating the spectators and penalizing the offenders.”
An Administrative Decision Based on Judicial Precedents
The situation observed in Caussols falls within a context already known to the authorities. Dieudonné has been subject to several judicial convictions over the years. The court decisions mainly concern acts of racially offensive insults and incitement to hatred. These convictions are regularly cited by the prefectures to justify show prohibitions.
The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture relies on this legal framework. The authorities consider that such performances pose a risk to public order. This assessment is recurrent in decrees made against the comedian’s shows.
This is not the first time that a Dieudonné show has been banned and then interrupted by the police. Several recent precedents are mentioned by the prefecture and media sources. In July, a performance was halted in Lestrem, in Pas-de-Calais. In October, another intervention occurred in Hérin, in the Nord. In this latter case, the prefectural decree was validated by the administrative court.
Other departments have also been affected in recent years. In Loire-Atlantique, a show experienced the same fate in the fall. Each time, the authorities cite similar reasons. Law enforcement officers intervened to enforce administrative decisions made in advance.
In Caussols, about 200 people had traveled to attend the performance. The commune is located in a rural area of the Alpes-Maritimes.
The prefecture emphasizes that the penalization of the offenders was carried out. The spectators present were reminded of the illegal nature of the event. No information has been provided on any potential further legal action.
Dieudonné, expelled in 2017 from his Parisian theater, the Théâtre de la Main d’Or, now performs in various locations. The performances sometimes take the form of discreetly organized shows. Some are held in private venues or mobile settings, notably on a bus.
The repetition of these prohibitions and interventions illustrates a persistent standoff between the artist and the administrative authorities. The prefects rely on judicial convictions and the notion of public order disturbance. The organizers nonetheless try to maintain the performances.
