Background

In 2002 the Red Cross centre housing migrants in Calais was bulldozed, meaning for the past 8 years Kurdish, Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Darfuri, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somalian migrants have had to fend for themselves in Calais. They have constructed camps from discarded wood, metal and plastic, and squatted empty buildings and even recently an old goods train.

About a year ago the French authorities announced that they were going to try and get rid of all the migrants through a new wave of repression. One of their strategies was to not let the migrants have any places to stay. With these squats and camps, life is just toooo good in Calais!

So last September and October saw a string of demolitions of houses and camps around Calais. Migrants were then constantly on the move and under pressure to find places to sleep that were hidden. They take tents into the woods, but if caught have them slashed with knifes by the cops. The cops have also burned plastic tarp and destroyed any shelters they find.

Africa House

Africa House, so-named because it houses migrants from a few different African countries, is the only original squat to still be standing.

It is a large bombed out old wood workshop and factory that provides a suitable shelter away from the elements. It has a certain ambience, with a layer of thick smoke hanging in the warehouse where small groups of migrants sit around a series of fires in each corner.

For the past 6 to 8 weeks Africa house has been under heavy pressure from the police, with big raids taking place regularly which can involve the police stealing all their belongings and then spraying chemicals in the house.

Defending Africa house from raids has been one our main focuses of action for activists on the ground in Calais over the past weeks. English lessons are also taking place there as well as the odd music night. Strong relationships have been built there.

During this time there have several sightings of varous men with suits or buildery type men getting police escorts into the warehouse to look at it.

Give this, and given the authorities grand master fascist plan for Calais, we are all sure that there will be an attempt to demolish Africa House soon.

BUT WHEN? Well.... an unnamed source has told us that apparently the demolition could be between the 10th and the 15th of May.

This is unconfirmed information but we would like to send out a warning for a possible urgent mobilisation.

UK activists are called to come and provide solidarity and prepare for possible direct action to stop the house being demolished, and to secure a new place for the Africa migrants to sleep if the place is demolished.

News will follow as and when we get it!!



p.s on our youtube site there are some films from police raids at Africa house.