Mini report from my last vist to Calais
Chiara | 22.06.2012 19:33 | Migration | Policing | Repression
Repression is worst than I have ever seen, I reckon they are really trying to clear Calais of its migrants before the Olympics.
All squats old and new have been closed bar a few small ones, virtually nobody is sleeping in the jungles, people sleep out and about with the police chasing them, people without papers just try to hide and stay out of sight. Record numbers of police, the CRS are combing the streets at all hours, day and night, also on Sundays, but also more 'normal' police and undercover police, many new survelliance cars also of new types. Many arrests - except the last few days I have been in Calais have been unusually few arrests, despite the massive display of police and CRS, I left the day of Manuel Valls's visit. (new minister of interior, came to Calais to discuss security during the olympics)
Destruction of blankets and shelters have reached unparalleled proportions, there is an ongoing crisis the associations and also the noborders are not been able to get enough supplies, or just about, even the vestiaire is running off blankets.
BLANKETS, SLEEPING BAGS, WARM CLOTHES, MEN'S SHOES AND TROUSERS, TENTS AND TARPAULIN ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED - AS WELL AS MONEY TO BUY MATERIALS, IF YOU ARE AN ORGANISATION WITH SOME FUNDING TRY TO HELP IF IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE.
I took some blankets and sleeping bags from Emmaus St Martin en Laert to the no borders garage, we do distributions when needed 24/7, since 2009. We also had some small deliveries from Uk and Germany, it helps but is not enough in this moment.
The deportation centre in Coquelles is full, many deportations to Albania and to various Dublin countries, particularly Italy. People gets bounced back and forward France and Italy, one Afghan I know has been deported to Italy 5 times and has just come back. Many of the Albanians, Afghans and others arrived in Calais recently have come from Italy. Impossible to find work in Italy, there are people sleeping rough everywhere in the streets and at the train stations, most are Italians but also many immigrants and refugees.
On the bright side, quite many Calais migrants have crossed over to England recently. Though there are people who have been trying every night, without success, for a long time.
Destruction of blankets and shelters have reached unparalleled proportions, there is an ongoing crisis the associations and also the noborders are not been able to get enough supplies, or just about, even the vestiaire is running off blankets.
BLANKETS, SLEEPING BAGS, WARM CLOTHES, MEN'S SHOES AND TROUSERS, TENTS AND TARPAULIN ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED - AS WELL AS MONEY TO BUY MATERIALS, IF YOU ARE AN ORGANISATION WITH SOME FUNDING TRY TO HELP IF IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE.
I took some blankets and sleeping bags from Emmaus St Martin en Laert to the no borders garage, we do distributions when needed 24/7, since 2009. We also had some small deliveries from Uk and Germany, it helps but is not enough in this moment.
The deportation centre in Coquelles is full, many deportations to Albania and to various Dublin countries, particularly Italy. People gets bounced back and forward France and Italy, one Afghan I know has been deported to Italy 5 times and has just come back. Many of the Albanians, Afghans and others arrived in Calais recently have come from Italy. Impossible to find work in Italy, there are people sleeping rough everywhere in the streets and at the train stations, most are Italians but also many immigrants and refugees.
On the bright side, quite many Calais migrants have crossed over to England recently. Though there are people who have been trying every night, without success, for a long time.
Chiara
e-mail:
chiara123smile@gmail.com
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