Wemby himself recently reflected on his own school years in Nanterre, emphasizing that his successful career has not detached him from these struggles. He noted that these deep inequities deserve attention beyond the school gates, and welcomed young people making their voices heard, stating he supports them and hopes authorities do the same. Friction grew when he shared a cryptic ‘white rabbit’ meme on social media before an October 17 protest. Many fans based in North America initially saw it as excitement for the opener of the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season, but conservative officials viewed it as a nod to the unrest. The backlash was led by Eric Ciotti, the right-wing Nice mayor. The 61-year-old politician condemned the two-time All-Star online, arguing that celebrities backing the movement bear a historic responsibility for subsequent riots and deserve formal condemnation. Parliament member Laetitia Ravalet also targeted the player directly, demanding he receive the bill for property damage.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The backlash was led by Eric Ciotti, the right-wing …