On Monday, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in Paris as seven individuals aboard a protest bus were detained.
This protest was in response to a perceived attack on Christian faith showcased during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
The bus, organized by the grassroots advocacy group CitizenGo, was strikingly decorated.
One side of the bus displayed an image from the controversial depiction of the Last Supper featured in the Olympics’ opening ceremony. The other side boldly carried the message “Stop Attacks on Christians!” alongside a website address for a petition.
This petition, advocating for believers’ rights, had garnered over 386,000 signatures addressed to the International Olympic Committee.
Incident and Detention
According to CitizenGo, French Gendarmerie agents intercepted the bus “at gunpoint.”
The six activists and the bus driver were transported from one police station to another under what the group describes as humiliating conditions, with restricted communication with the outside world. The bus was seized, and legal proceedings were initiated by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
By Tuesday afternoon, nearly 24 hours later, the detainees were informed they would not face charges. CitizenGo has denounced the incident as an “extremely serious” violation of religious freedom, equating it to the initial offense of the Olympic opening ceremony.