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France 2 Faces Backlash Over Labeling Chrisme at Lyon March as Far-Right Symbol

Subsequent coverage underscores the emblem’s ancient Christian roots despite instances of contemporary appropriation.

Overview

  • A chrisme was displayed on a black banner during the February 21 march in Lyon held in memory of Quentin Deranque.
  • France 2 described the emblem as “a Christian symbol diverted and used by the extreme right,” drawing sharp criticism from political figures and commentators on social media.
  • Reactions included posts from Identité‑Libertés–aligned MP Anne Sicard and Eddy Casterman, who accused the public broadcaster of mischaracterizing a religious sign.
  • La Croix and Le Journal du Dimanche note the chrisme is a monogram of Christ traced to late antiquity and popularized under Constantine, commonly seen in churches and liturgical art.
  • Reports from the march cited Nazi salutes and racist and homophobic insults, while journalists emphasized that the chrisme, though sometimes appropriated by far-right groups, remains primarily a Christian symbol.