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Direct aid & joining the dots

calaismigrantsolidarity | 10.09.2009 22:00 | Anti-racism | Migration | Repression | South Coast | World

We could really do with more people making the connections between war, migration and climate change, working with those most affected by all these things

A small minority are trying to affect change in the face of fortress europe on the northern shores of Calais - a sort of post-modern Dunkirk spirit. 'They' are fine to work for NATO translating for the occupying powers, then dumped and left to fend for themselves in the face of the taliban when it fucks up. Same could be said for the young lads fighting NATO's war on the ground. Not a lot of difference between what 14, 15, 16+ year old Afghan lads say in Calais, and 18, 19, 20 year old UK army lads in Afghanistan say - "why are we here, why don't those in power listen, take some responsibility"... read soldiers' letters, migrants accounts....

So, while disillusioned soldiers wonder what the hell they're in Afghanistan for, watching their mates get blown up by IEDs, while young lads in Calais wonder what the hell they've come this far for to see their mates get randomly beaten, detained, deported to the place they've fled, what are we to do, here, in the UK.

This war is on our doorstep.

The 'human collateral' is across the straits of Dover, and on our shores for the guys who makes it over...(there are women and kids, it is mainly young men involved in the struggle at this close point, not to downplay the extra hardship endured by the young women, pregnant women, having got this far across europe)

Are you against the wars been waged? Then let's aid those who have made it this far, let us challenge and disobey the law that say we must not aid migrants, let us get to Calais and intervene against the illegal police actions. The police retire when activists intervene. Well let's do more of it! They object to our spotlight on their activities - let's up the wattage!!

There are so few of us having an impact in Calais (and the rest of the places in northern France). This cannot be sustained without others taking it on. There are resources and help at hand. Get involved.

JOIN THE DOTS....

Here's what the authorities have to say...
Nord Littoral
“The United Kingdom remains a very attractive hub for smuggling. I announced a plan with three components: the restoration of the rule of law with a view to dismantling “the jungle” before the end of the year, the strengthening of border controls, the only way of ‘illegal channels to send the clear message that you no longer pass to England from Calais; the establishment of a scheme involving humanitarian scheme for the opening at Calais a surgery to receive applications for asylum, a permanent access to care, a point of distribution of meals, a place t wash, showers and a point for drinking water.

You confirm the dismantling of “the jungle” before the end of the year. Can you be more specific in time and what are the different steps that will lead?
“Several dismantlings of unplanned settlements and squatters were held this summer. The jungle located near the port of Calais will be dismantled before the end of the year. When? I cannot tell you even if I knew I would not say for obvious security reasons. To make this operation as dignified as possible, the operation from a logistical point of view is very difficult to implement, I have established several criteria that must comply with the Prefect. The operation will be triggered only when all these criteria are met. In the meantime, I asked the prefect to hold a full-scale simulation of the dismantling of “the jungle” in early October. It will determine whether we are ready to bring in police, interpreters and doctors in sufficient numbers to achieve the decommissioning. This operation will serve as dress rehearsal so that we can carry it out in the utmost respect for human dignity. “

calaismigrantsolidarity
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