Racist attacks against crêperie owner

Joëlle Dambo, the owner of a crêperie in Gomené, Côtes-d’Armor, has faced a wave of racist insults and attacks since her victory in a television show in June 2026. The harassment has occurred both online and in her village, and she has described the experience as relentless and targeted due to her skin color.

Legal action against online hate

After the justice system showed no progress following an initial complaint in July, Dambo filed two new complaints on October 13, 2026, to push the Pôle national de lutte contre la haine en ligne (PNLH) to investigate. One of the complaints targets the mayor of Gomené for what is described as calumnious denunciation.

Public harassment and insults

Dambo has received daily racist insults on social media since her skills as a crêpière were recognized in two competitions. During a press conference, she announced her intention to fight those responsible, stating she had been attacked relentlessly because of her skin color and her refusal to stay silent.

Legal and social consequences

Dambo’s lawyer, Me Vincent Brengarth, highlighted the absurdity of the racist persecution. He noted that the initial complaint filed on July 9 did not stop the attacks due to the lack of progress in the justice system. He emphasized the need for the PNLH to act quickly to identify the perpetrators.

Mayor’s involvement in complaints

The mayor of Gomené is the subject of the second complaint, which accuses him of calumnious denunciation. Dambo described the atrocities she has suffered in her village, including racist slogans and physical attacks. She claims that local officials have ignored her repeated complaints despite documented evidence of harassment.

Economic impact on the crêperie

The harassment has had significant economic repercussions for Dambo’s crêperie. She expressed regret that the television show, intended to boost her business, instead drove away many regular customers from the village. However, she noted that some visitors from further away continue to support her.

Personal and symbolic resistance

Dambo refuses to let racism erase her identity. She described how her harassers reduce her to stereotypes, but she asserts her pride in her heritage and her right to represent Breton culinary traditions. She insists that her legitimacy comes from her skills and her place in the community, not from the opinions of her attackers.