Migrant Hangar reopens despite police repression

This is great news the hangar is reopened, and with the 10.00-18.00 opening hours the police have no excuse that migrants are being housed overnight - although this would be a good thing to be able to offer. Unfortunately the level of police repression won't allow us to offer housing for people sleeping rough in freezing temperatures. It's the law of the baton in Calais...

The space is a really good opportunity to do so much - having a space that we share with migrants will inevitably create more cooperative work. I'd really encourage people to get over to Calais and offer whatever they can to the project.

www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com has been tidied up a bit and hopefully it's easier for people to find the info they need to participate in the ongoing work in Calais, which is taking a new direction. The text below is taken from the 'What we do' page of the blog and will hopefully give you ideas about how you can be part of what is happening:

WHAT WE DO IN CALAIS
We do a range of work in Calais. Some things require certain skills, but generally everyone has something to contribute to our solidarity work. If you’re coming over contact us (details below) and give us an idea when, and we can tell you what stuff is most useful to bring over at that time.

* basic first aid, dealing with police injuries.
* collecting and distributing firewood, water, food and clothing.
* Patrolling round the squats and ‘jungles’ keeping an eye out for the cops, intervening when possible, witnessing and recording police actions.
* The patrols can be really more effective with cameras, so any video/camera activists are welcome! Also, audio recordings of migrants testimonies are good as many people don’t want to be filmed or are wary of anyone acting like a journalist.
* Selling on SIM cards so migrants can communicate with us (we give out our communication phone number) and with each other.
* We offer migrants a phone to contact Coquelles detention centre on the edge of Calais. You can call direct to a phone inside which arrested people can answer, so people can check on your mates.
* Banner hangs, demonstrations and the like.

BEYOND CALAIS
There is a huge amount that can be done beyond Calais, both to support the ongoing work here and in the form of solidarity actions. We are always looking for people to help with the following – if you can help please contact us:

* Fundraising and information nights to raise awareness and pass on much needed funds. Click here to donate.
* Regional autonomous support for people who have made it across to the UK and are seeking asylum, especially for minors.
* Taking on handling the UK contact phone for a while. This involves keeping abreast of what’s happening in Calais and responding to enquiries from people wanting to come out to Calais.
* Updating this blog! Internet access, and time to think straight, can be hard in Calais, so you can help by posting texts and rushed phone calls onto the blog, twitter or facebook.
* Being a local or regional contact person or group to help organise trips over to Calais.
* Providing support for people who have been in Calais – whether for a short time or if people are working in Calais over a long period what you see and witness is very affecting and people need to have a chance to try and make sense of what they experience. This can happen face-to-face or by phone or email. See activist trauma support.


CONTACT DETAILS
UK Contact: 07534 008380

Calais Contact: 0033 699 746 155 (from outside France)

06 99 74 61 55 (from inside France)

The Cronstadt Hangar (new No Borders space) is on Rue Cronstadt, Calais – look for the police car with bored cops opposite watching (no ID checks being made)

Email:  calaisolidarity@gmail.com

There was a great reopening of the hangar today, with migrants in there from 1000, dancing, writing, discussing things, watching films. Then about 1900 (after the hangar had shut for the day) the surrounding streets were shut off by loads of CRS (riot police). The police started to force their way into the door and the activists inside opened it so the police could visually confirm that there weren't any migrants in the hangar. Despite this the police continued to force their way in and the five activists inside were arrested and taken to the police station. They have now been released. Other activists were at the food distribution area nearby while this happened. No paperwork was presented by the police to justify their illegal entry into this rented space.

The area around the hangar is still sealed off.

On their return the arrested activists were able to retrieve their belongings from inside the hangar one by one, just like on Sunday 7th February. The hangar is without doubt closed at the moment.

We will return, it is our place!!