Grave of Le Pen Vandalized in France
The tomb of National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has been desecrated by unidentified individuals, sparking widespread condemnation. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The vandalism of Jean-Marie Le Pen's tomb by unknown individuals has sparked widespread condemnation.
According to local reports and images shared on social media, the final resting place of the late patriarch of France’s right-wing movement has been targeted in northwestern France. As reported by Le Figaro, the grave of the National Front founder located in La Trinite-sur-Mer, Brittany, was desecrated overnight between Thursday and Friday. A police source informed the French daily that the Celtic cross on the Le Pen family vault had been smashed with a sledgehammer.
Photos circulating on social media depict broken parts of the memorial on the ground, a displaced nameplate, and scattered flowers. In response to the incident, the local prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation for “violation of a grave, tomb, cinerary urn or monument erected in memory of the dead,” Le Figaro noted, adding that the cemetery has been closed.
The act has elicited outrage, particularly from right-wing political figures. Marion Marechal, Le Pen's granddaughter and leader of the Identity–Freedoms party, stated: “Do you think you can break our hearts, intimidate us, discourage us? Our response will be to fight you ever harder, generation after generation.”
Jordan Bardella, leader of National Rally, denounced the act as “unspeakable,” and added that “the most universal morality already condemns its authors: I hope that they will also be found and severely punished by justice.”
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau declared the vandalism “an absolute abjection,” asserting, “Respect for the dead is what distinguishes civilization from barbarism.” Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini referred to those responsible as “cowards.”
Eric Zemmour also expressed outrage, characterizing the act as “openly barbaric” and “an aggressive, blind, stupid, vulgar act” that demonstrates the lack of qualities and virtues found in civilized conduct.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, who passed away on January 7 at the age of 96, was a significant figure in France’s right-wing movement. He was known for his strong nationalist and anti-immigration stance, founding the National Front in 1972 and leading it for several decades. Le Pen ran for the French presidency multiple times, notably advancing to the second round in 2002. In 2011, he transferred leadership of the party to his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who has become another prominent figure in the right-wing landscape.
However, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s political journey was riddled with controversy, including charges of antisemitism and infamous remarks referring to the Holocaust’s gas chambers as a “detail of history.”
In light of these controversies, Marine Le Pen has distanced herself from her father’s more extreme views, rebranding the party as the National Rally in 2018. The National Rally is currently the largest opposition party in France’s National Assembly, holding 126 out of 577 seats.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to local reports and images shared on social media, the final resting place of the late patriarch of France’s right-wing movement has been targeted in northwestern France. As reported by Le Figaro, the grave of the National Front founder located in La Trinite-sur-Mer, Brittany, was desecrated overnight between Thursday and Friday. A police source informed the French daily that the Celtic cross on the Le Pen family vault had been smashed with a sledgehammer.
Photos circulating on social media depict broken parts of the memorial on the ground, a displaced nameplate, and scattered flowers. In response to the incident, the local prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation for “violation of a grave, tomb, cinerary urn or monument erected in memory of the dead,” Le Figaro noted, adding that the cemetery has been closed.
The act has elicited outrage, particularly from right-wing political figures. Marion Marechal, Le Pen's granddaughter and leader of the Identity–Freedoms party, stated: “Do you think you can break our hearts, intimidate us, discourage us? Our response will be to fight you ever harder, generation after generation.”
Jordan Bardella, leader of National Rally, denounced the act as “unspeakable,” and added that “the most universal morality already condemns its authors: I hope that they will also be found and severely punished by justice.”
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau declared the vandalism “an absolute abjection,” asserting, “Respect for the dead is what distinguishes civilization from barbarism.” Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini referred to those responsible as “cowards.”
Eric Zemmour also expressed outrage, characterizing the act as “openly barbaric” and “an aggressive, blind, stupid, vulgar act” that demonstrates the lack of qualities and virtues found in civilized conduct.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, who passed away on January 7 at the age of 96, was a significant figure in France’s right-wing movement. He was known for his strong nationalist and anti-immigration stance, founding the National Front in 1972 and leading it for several decades. Le Pen ran for the French presidency multiple times, notably advancing to the second round in 2002. In 2011, he transferred leadership of the party to his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who has become another prominent figure in the right-wing landscape.
However, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s political journey was riddled with controversy, including charges of antisemitism and infamous remarks referring to the Holocaust’s gas chambers as a “detail of history.”
In light of these controversies, Marine Le Pen has distanced herself from her father’s more extreme views, rebranding the party as the National Rally in 2018. The National Rally is currently the largest opposition party in France’s National Assembly, holding 126 out of 577 seats.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
