César awards receive backlash over inviting Roman Polanski to preside event

The 83-year-old director and producer is sparking outrage.

In the same week that the new President of the United States has been accused of sexual assault, this comes as disappointing news to women everywhere. Following the swearing in of Mr. Trump, the internet has been ablaze with memes, reaction pictures and quotes from the inauguration ceremony, but on the other side of the world there's a storm brewing over a different man accused of sexual assault. Roman Polanski was found guilty of raping 13-year-old Samantha Geimar in 1977 and has still not fully served his sentence in the US. Despite this, the director has been invited to be the president of the Cesar awards, otherwise known as the 'French Oscars'. According to the Independent, the Academie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma announced the news earlier this week:

"Artist, film-maker, producer, screenwriter, actor, director - there are many words to define Roman Polanski... "But there is only one to express our admiration and enchantment: thank you, Mr President."

People took to Twitter to voice their concern over the newly elected President of the awards.

if u need convinced to march today: roman polanski just been selected to sit on panel for french oscars - despite conviction for raping 13yo

— roobs (@roobsleiser) January 21, 2017

Sexism is so high in France that Roman Polanski will be the President of the #Cesar2017 (French Oscars).Feminists call for #BoycottCesar pic.twitter.com/Wk8YYMJVBY

— Alice Coffin (@alicecoffin) January 18, 2017

Fury as Roman Polanski picked to head jury for 'French Oscars'  https://t.co/21tym9LNSM

— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) January 21, 2017