We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ROCK STAR COURTNEY Love got caught up in an anti-Uber protest by Paris taxi-drivers earlier today, claiming she was held hostage at the airport.
In a series of posts to Instagram, the 50-year-old singer documented “the scariest day of [her] life”, which started with being egged, and ended in a daring motorbike escape and serious scolding of French President Francois Hollande.
courtneylove / Instagram
Love added on Twitter that the rental car’s tires were slashed by protesters, and she was blocked in at the airport.
She managed to “pay some guys” to sneak her and her assistant out on motorbikes, while being chased by angry, rock-throwing taxi-drivers, as police “did nothing.”
After arriving in the capital, Love posted this photo, saying she was “scared out of [her] wits,” and turning her anger towards Hollande:
I can’t believe this really just happened. Love French people but your government blows.
courtneylove / Instagram
Love then turned up the heat on Monsieur Le Président de la République, ordering him out to the airport to sort out the mess:
Love hasn’t received the warmest of responses to her tirade from the French public, with many on Twitter taking particular offence to her claim that she’d be “safer in Baghdad.”
“Someone should remind Courtney Love that in her country police confuse their tasers with their guns,” said one.
“Apparently the United States is a haven of peace,” said another.
Others were a little more cruel, saying “At least today has reminded us that Courtney Love is still alive.”
“I was attacked once by a Courtney Love CD. I moaned about it, but I didn’t file charges or call out the president.”
Au Bistrot des Mots / TwitterUn jour, j'ai été agressé par un CD de #CourtneyLove : j'ai râlé mais je n'ai pas porté plainte ni interpellé le Président.#OuateZeFeuque
— Au Bistrot des Mots (@Chaoticien) June 25, 2015
Elsewhere in France, taxi-drivers throughout the country set fire to cars, blocked entry and exit from airports and train stations, caused traffic chaos, and riot police were deployed in several cities.
Taxi drivers complain that services like Uber unfairly undercut them, and in recent weeks nearly 100 Uber drivers have been attacked, sometimes while carrying customers.
One irritated taxi passenger was left with a broken face and black eye after he praised Uber.
Contains additional reporting by the Associated Press.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The French don’t mess about when it comes to a good old fashioned strike
If she wanted them to release her all she had to do was start singing one of her songs
At least they were clever enough not to go looking for a ransom
The hostage takers paid a kings ransom for someone to take her back.
some people should be never heard from again
I thought the same thing when I saw you here with your new account, Glen. Only joking, I actually missed ya…
I don’t know what you are talking about, Glen? I would love to chat but here is my bus and their wifi is broke or something, yeah that’ it
You’re talking bs now!! Ireland has the second best internet in the world!!
i’m in donegal
So you took a day trip out of Lucan?
I am from Letterkenny
ah fcuk it I am iron ma… I mean Glen
and I would of gotten away with it if it wasn’t for DOB
Ah ha! I knew it was you with that look in your eye…
Don’t mention that name! You might get deleted again..
Rock star….hello, she’s only famous cos she was married to one!
Left with a broken face?
Hole, live through this was a great album
probably written by her husband and produced by her lover Billy Corgan
Can anyone name a Courtney Love song?
I made my husband blow his brains out. that’s a good one
One might be called “A pain in the hole”
Anyone else think their reaction was a bit uber the top?
Give someone a name like Courtney or Kim and they’re a superstar, not……… Sorry but I don’t know you Courtney.
have your say