ACAB appears in French protests

Among the damaged shop windows, vandalized bus shelters, and hastily painted slogans on the walls of several French cities on Saturday, October 17, four letters have particularly drawn attention: "ACAB." This acronym, which stands for "All Cops Are Bastards," has reappeared in several demonstrations organized around issues of purchasing power, housing, and education.

Origins of the ACAB slogan

The slogan, which originated in the English working class in the 20th century, with some sources placing its appearance as early as the 1920s or 1940s, initially circulated in British prison environments before spreading to stadiums, supporter groups, and various countercultures. Its popularization occurred in the 1980s thanks to the British punk band The 4-Skins, who dedicated a song to it, which became emblematic.

Evolution of the ACAB slogan

Over the decades, ACAB has gone far beyond the scope of football stadiums and urban subcultures. In the 1990s and 2000s, it appears in many protest movements, notably within anarchist, autonomous, or anti-globalization groups. The slogan also appears in a more discreet form: "1312," which refers to the alphabetical position of the letters A-C-A-B. This version is often used on social networks, in hashtags, or on certain clothing.

Context of recent ACAB use

The multiplication of ACAB inscriptions in recent demonstrations can be explained by several factors. For some activists, the slogan constitutes a general critique of the police institution, its methods, or its relationship with part of the population. It is particularly used to denounce police violence, discriminatory checks, or certain practices of maintaining order. Its return in the mobilizations of recent years is also part of a context marked by the demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in the United States, as well as by the French debates surrounding the "Global Security" law and the methods of maintaining order during major social movements.

Controversy around ACAB

The expression remains, however, extremely controversial. Police unions and many representatives of law enforcement denounce a formula considered insulting and stigmatizing towards the entire police force. For them, ACAB does not relate to a simple institutional critique but is a direct attack against men and women performing a public service mission. Conversely, some activists claim that the slogan targets the police system more than the officers individually. This divergence in interpretation explains in part why these four letters continue to generate so much debate in public space.