'A point of resistance': the Normandy village that said 'non' to Pete Hegseth

[muriel_volestrangler]

hen news came that the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, would be travelling to Normandy to mark D-day, some in the seaside village of Langrune-sur-Mer – where the afternoon ceremony was slated to be held – felt they had to speak up.

“We found it unbelievable that they could send someone who held views and values contrary to democracy, human rights, peace and Europe,” said resident Chantal Richard. To her, the incongruence felt deeply personal. “We grew up going to D-day ceremonies, some of us had grandparents or parents whose lives were affected by this war.”

The view led Richard and the 40 or so other members of Langrune en Commun, a residents’ association, to sign a 179-word statement. Published days before the 82nd anniversary of the D-day landings, it called for Hegseth’s visit to be cancelled.

“The honour of Langrune, that of France and the memory of the young allied soldiers – American, British and Canadian – who died on our beaches in the name of democracy demand that this individual’s visit be cancelled,” it said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/14/normandy-village-legrune-sur-mer-protest-d-day-pete-hegseth

It worked - he cancelled his visit to the village.

[3Hotdogs]

1. They didn't have to go through all that. Alls they had to do was chip in to give him an open tab at a local

DC bar if he would go there on June 4th.

[Seinan Sensei]

2. Wish I knew what 179 words it would take

To keep Kegsbreath from returning to the U.S.

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. Of course he did.

Cowards don't like it when people actually stand up to them.

Bullying cowards... even more so.

He is used to being able to be an asshat with impunity. His team knows that they cannot get that impunity outside of D.C..

Now, if the rest of the planet would just do the same thing. Deny these idiots any chance of visiting and contaminating their culture with his fascism. Hell, if there are strict laws about this issue, send him to one of those countries.

He won't get near them. I wonder why?

[RainCaster]

4. If they all promised to send him to the Hague

Let that war criminal be put up on trial in front of the whole world.

[NJCher]

5. Notice how "You're not wanted"

Is beginning to pop up.

Albania does not want Ivanka and her ilk.

These people are social pariahs. No one wants to be near them. No one wants the symbolism of their presence. Their ideas are anathema.

[Sneederbunk]

6. The French have not forgotten fascists.

[peggysue2]

7. Hegseth and the mentally challenged, small-fisted demagogue . . .

Who put him in power should be indelibly marked as pariahs everywhere democracy is still honored. Neither of these men have personal
honor, respect or understanding of those who sacrificed everything to save the soul of the world.

ETTD

to the citizens of Langrune-sur-Mer.

[electric_blue68]

8. Excellent news! Good on them! TY