Greenpeace Activists Steal Macron’s Wax Statue in Protest

Greenpeace activists were recently photographed taking a wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris. This act was part of their protest against business ties between France and Russia.

On Monday, the environmental group announced that its members had “borrowed” the statue, stating they believe it should not be displayed until France ends its contract with Russia at this well-known cultural site. They also called for a significant ecological transition at a European level.

Later that same day, the activists planned to gather in front of the Russian Embassy in Paris, alongside the Macron statue, to unfurl a flag that criticized the ongoing deal with Russia.

Images captured showed two men carrying the wax figure through the streets of the city.

One spokesperson for Greenpeace explained, “There was no conflict with the museum’s security, as we had planned everything carefully.” He added that they had entered as regular visitors before heading to the room housing the statue.

Reports indicated that other activists were waiting outside in getaway cars, and the group has plans to return the statue at an unspecified date. According to the Grevin Museum’s website, Macron’s statue is among over 200 wax figures of notable individuals.

As Jean-François Juilliard, the French director of Greenpeace, commented to a news outlet, “We’re not denying support for Ukraine from France and Europe, but consistency is key.” He hinted that it’s contradictory to support Ukraine while simultaneously importing substantial amounts of gas, chemical fertilizers, and uranium from Russia.

In this way, the protest acts as a complex commentary on international relationships, challenging the idea of political support while still engaging economically with conflicting partners.