In France, Lebanese-French Samar Antoun gets recognition for her heroic intervention

In recognition of her heroism, the French Minister of Education, Gabriel Attal, has awarded Lebanese-French Samar Antoun the rank of Knight in the Order of the Academic Palms.

This recognition comes after Samar Antoun, a school principal in Villeurbanne, a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon, had intervened between rioters and her institution during events at the beginning of the summer. 

Dans ce chaos, la réaction bouleversante, héroïque et au fond tellement normale d'une femme seule hurlant "S'il vous plaît pas l'école !!!". #emeutes pic.twitter.com/779XFcGYds

— sophia aram (@SophiaAram) June 30, 2023

According to an article published by the "Académie de Lyon," the minister warmly praised her courage and dedication to her profession in front of her friends and colleagues.

Minister Gabriel Attal also expressed on his "X" account that "Her courage moved all of France."

Son courage avait ému toute la France.

Le cri de Samar Antoun, directrice d’école visée par les émeutiers, disait tout l’attachement de la Nation à notre École.

Fier d’avoir remis les Palmes académiques à cette institutrice au parcours exemplaire, en présence de ses collègues. https://t.co/Grl7YBcTnX pic.twitter.com/d7SgXanBBO

— Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) September 10, 2023

He added: "The cry of Samar Antoun, school director targeted by the rioters, spoke of the Nation's attachment to our School. Proud to have presented the Academic Palms to this teacher with an exemplary career in the presence of her colleagues."