Investigation After Racist Chants in Rodez Nightclub

Rodez – 24.06.2026: On the night of June 4 to 5, 2026, an incident occurred at the Loft89 nightclub in Rodez that now shakes the French public. In a video recorded in the smoking area of the club, six to seven young men can be seen chanting racist slogans with glasses raised. The central chant was: “Marine au pouvoir, les Arabes à l’abattoir!” (“Marine in power, Arabs to the slaughterhouse!”).

The video was published on June 21, 2026 on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, sparking an outcry. The anonymous uploader of the video reported that the youths repeated the slogans several times. While some nightclub guests remained passive, others loudly joined in the chants. The woman decided to film after confronting those involved about their behavior.

The management of Loft89 reacted promptly and issued a statement condemning the behavior. The club also pledged full cooperation with the investigative authorities. “We condemn these acts in the strongest terms and are working closely with the relevant authorities,” the statement said.

Political representatives from the region also expressed shock over the events. Laurent Alexandre, deputy for the second constituency of Aveyron, addressed the public prosecutor on June 21, 2026 and called for a swift clarification. Mayor Stéphane Mazars emphasized that “racism is not an opinion” and demanded quick legal action.

The organization Tajmaât, which advocates for the rights of the Maghreb community, strongly condemned the incident and launched a search for witnesses. It described the scene as yet another trivialization of dangerous discourses that deliberately target people of Maghreb origin and called it an open incitement to murder.

The public prosecutor’s office in Rodez initiated an investigation for incitement to hatred, which has been taken over by the local police. The perpetrators have not yet been identified, but there are indications that they may be local students. The investigation is ongoing.

This incident fits into a series of similar cases in France where racist statements caused public outrage and investigations. For example, in March 2026, an investigation was already underway against a candidate of the Rassemblement National in Gap who made racist and National Socialist-glorifying statements in an online video.

The repeated cases underline the ongoing challenges in France in dealing with racism and discrimination and highlight the urgency of determined countermeasures.