The Paris prefecture has decided to ban a concert planned by the LFI political movement as part of the music festival and following a demonstration against racism. The reasons given in the order are frightening:
-    presence of rappers Médine, Soso Maness and 2L;
-     presence of the militant Assa Traoré and du comité Adama.
The prefectural decree is a litany of more than dubious comparisons, largely racist, justifying the danger of these artists for public order. Medina would be anti-Semitic, the others anti-police. Their concert would serve to reiterate the degradations of May 30 – the evening when let us remember the police were widely known for their abuses – implying that it is these savage foreigners from the suburbs who will go to this concert and break everything! The irony is such that it seems that part of the poster is an invention of the prefecture. With this ban, the prefecture is in line with policies aimed at silencing anti-racist struggles, including pro-Palestinian voices, even if the prefect never mentions Palestine.
It ends with an even more surrealistic element, since the decree explains that a concert given at the Stade de France by the singer Bruno Mars would mobilize most of the police in the Paris region… Beyond the absurd reason, the singer will appreciate knowing that his concert serves as a reason for the cancellation others… Moreover, an evening of “music festival”.  Â
This ban goes far beyond just the concert on June 21. It sends a message: that music and the arts remain outside of politics. Artists, shut up! Don’t say anything and don’t invite involved personalities.
Behind these well-known names who are targeted, hide a forest of artists who bring life to the region, artists threatened by budget cuts, and the extension of the far-right’s takeover in the arts. Artists who today must ask themselves if they have the right to sing and say what they sing and say!
The minimum foundations of the rule of law are no longer even ensured by the State today!
We strongly denounce this ban! Culture workers, we are all concerned! Let’s come together and resist those who want to silence us!
SUD Culture Solidaires – live performance branch
Paris, June 18, 2026
