Calais: huge increase in police violence
CMS | 03.12.2009 12:36 | Anti-racism | Migration | Terror War
Several arrests more than 'normal' in the past few days and raids on squats...
With Besson's threat to make Calais a migrant free zone by
the end of the year always on our minds, we encourage people
to come and do solidarity work.
With Besson's threat to make Calais a migrant free zone by
the end of the year always on our minds, we encourage people
to come and do solidarity work.
from activists and migrants on the ground in Calais:
Wednesday 2nd December
More raids; 15 Pashto including several young people, some as young as 11 were arrested in a raid on the Pashto jungle. The minors were meant to be released this morning, but they have not been yet. 8 Sudanese arrested by the train station (unconfirmed by us reported by one of the associations). During patrol we monitored 2 Sudanese being arrested by the port, in their new squat/shelter. We then disrupted 12 CRS (threatening to use gas) as they attempted a raid on the Arabic squat (unsuccessful thanks to our warnings!); we were then able to warn the people in the Ethiopian house, and monitor a raid there. Despite there being 2 vans with over 10 police no one was arrested again. We then went to visit the Sudanese area, where we were ‘controlled’ for the 3rd time in one night; this time by the PAF; and threatened with arrest.
There is no rest for people in Calais. On Saturday we will have a meeting with the assoications about the ‘Délit de solidarité’ and how to challenge the law which makes it illegal to help migrants. We will also discuss the shelter situation. We are finding new building for squatting all the time, but the police are everywhere. People are scared; but by working together, we are strong. With repression escalating, the associations are thinking of more political responses; and by having a constant presence here, we are building strong networks. Come to Calais!
Tuesday 1st December
CRS raids
It's been a busy few days in Calais....
Yesterday after the food distribution 6 Sudanese were arrested,
then the CRS raided the Arabic squat and took about 15 people.
Then this morning the CRS arrested 18 people at the new Pashtun
jungle at 9am; and then 20 people from the Ethiopian house at
the same time.
They returned again to the Ethiopian house this afternoon at 5pm
and took 5 more people. They also returned to the Arabic squat;
everyone escaped, but there were 3 vans and 2 cars.
There has also been an increase in the activity of undercover
police (BACS) monitoring and 'controlling' (searching and
checking passport details) of activists.
Monday 30th November
A new humanitarian camp for opened today in near Calais in the town of Bailleul. Salam association are administering the camp and are allowed to have migrants staying who are in exceptional circumstances (such as illness or injury) – but only up to 20 at any given time.
5 Sudanese were arrested outside food distribution this evening.
At 11pm the P.A.F arrested everyone inside the Arabic Afghan Squat
Wednesday 2nd December
More raids; 15 Pashto including several young people, some as young as 11 were arrested in a raid on the Pashto jungle. The minors were meant to be released this morning, but they have not been yet. 8 Sudanese arrested by the train station (unconfirmed by us reported by one of the associations). During patrol we monitored 2 Sudanese being arrested by the port, in their new squat/shelter. We then disrupted 12 CRS (threatening to use gas) as they attempted a raid on the Arabic squat (unsuccessful thanks to our warnings!); we were then able to warn the people in the Ethiopian house, and monitor a raid there. Despite there being 2 vans with over 10 police no one was arrested again. We then went to visit the Sudanese area, where we were ‘controlled’ for the 3rd time in one night; this time by the PAF; and threatened with arrest.
There is no rest for people in Calais. On Saturday we will have a meeting with the assoications about the ‘Délit de solidarité’ and how to challenge the law which makes it illegal to help migrants. We will also discuss the shelter situation. We are finding new building for squatting all the time, but the police are everywhere. People are scared; but by working together, we are strong. With repression escalating, the associations are thinking of more political responses; and by having a constant presence here, we are building strong networks. Come to Calais!
Tuesday 1st December
CRS raids
It's been a busy few days in Calais....
Yesterday after the food distribution 6 Sudanese were arrested,
then the CRS raided the Arabic squat and took about 15 people.
Then this morning the CRS arrested 18 people at the new Pashtun
jungle at 9am; and then 20 people from the Ethiopian house at
the same time.
They returned again to the Ethiopian house this afternoon at 5pm
and took 5 more people. They also returned to the Arabic squat;
everyone escaped, but there were 3 vans and 2 cars.
There has also been an increase in the activity of undercover
police (BACS) monitoring and 'controlling' (searching and
checking passport details) of activists.
Monday 30th November
A new humanitarian camp for opened today in near Calais in the town of Bailleul. Salam association are administering the camp and are allowed to have migrants staying who are in exceptional circumstances (such as illness or injury) – but only up to 20 at any given time.
5 Sudanese were arrested outside food distribution this evening.
At 11pm the P.A.F arrested everyone inside the Arabic Afghan Squat
CMS
Homepage:
http://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com/