Macron Unveils Dreyfus Statue, Calls for Vigilance Against Antisemitism

French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated a statue of Captain Alfred Dreyfus on Sunday, marking a symbolic tribute to the 19th‑century officer whose wrongful conviction for treason exposed deep‑rooted antisemitism in France. The monument, unveiled in the historic square of Paris’s La Défense district, commemorates Dreyfus’s posthumous exoneration and the long‑standing struggle for justice that reshaped French politics and society.

During the ceremony, Macron condemned what he described as a “resurgence of the demons of antisemitism” that continue to haunt France’s past and present. He emphasized that the Dreyfus affair remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of prejudice and the importance of safeguarding civil liberties. The President called for renewed vigilance against discrimination and reaffirmed France’s commitment to protecting minority rights.

The unveiling underscores France’s ongoing efforts to confront its legacy of antisemitism and to promote a more inclusive national identity. By honoring Dreyfus, the government signals its intent to remember the lessons of history while working toward a society that rejects prejudice in all its forms.