Investigation after racist chants in a nightclub in Rodez

Rodez – 24.06.2026: On the night of June 4 to 5, 2026, an incident occurred in the Loft89 nightclub in Rodez, which is now shaking French public opinion. In a video recorded in the club’s smoking area, six to seven young men can be seen raising their glasses while chanting racist slogans. The central shout was: “Marine in power, Arabs to the slaughterhouse!”

The video was published on June 21, 2026 on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, causing strong outrage. The anonymous author of the video explained that the young men repeated the slogans several times. While some club customers remained passive, others loudly approved these words. The woman decided to film after addressing the people concerned about their behavior.

The management of Loft89 reacted quickly by issuing a statement condemning this behavior. Moreover, the club assured its full cooperation with the authorities in charge of the investigation. “We condemn these acts with the utmost firmness and are working closely with the competent authorities,” it stated.

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

The Tajmaât organization, which defends the rights of the Maghreb community, strongly condemned the incident and launched an appeal for witnesses. It described the scene as a new normalization of dangerous speech targeting people of Maghreb origin, calling it an open call to murder.

The Rodez public prosecutor has opened an investigation for incitement to racial hatred, handled by the local police. The perpetrators have not yet been identified, but clues indicate they could be local students. The investigation is ongoing.

This incident is part of a series of similar cases in France, where racist remarks have caused public outrage and investigations. For example, in March 2026, an investigation was opened against a National Rally candidate in Gap who made racist remarks and glorified Nazism in an online video.

These repeated cases highlight the persistent challenges in France in combating racism and discrimination, underscoring the urgency of firm measures.