Migrants on the British border successfully resisted eviction and forced deportation yesterday. A handful of police raids were resisted by patrols of legal observers accompanied by journalists and cameramen, though at least 4 Afghans were taken by snatch squads.
Many migrants left their homes in Calais for Belgium or further afield once a report was leaked that French police were planning an 'ethnic cleansing' of the Calais area. These measures are part of an 'administrative agreement' between Gordon Brown and Nicholas Sarkozy discussed (with immigration ministers Besson and Woolas in tow) in Evian, France on the 7th July prior to the G8.
However, the Mayor of Calais has announced a likely clearing of the jungle sometime in October. Eric Besson, the immigration minister has already promised to "faire disparaitre" or "disappear" unwanted migrants and they still remain under constant threat of violence, detention and deportation.
Activists intend to stay on the ground in Calais as long as possible to offer medical and legal assistance. They intend to work with migrants to build treehouses, solar showers and other exciting bits and pieces. If you want to come to Calais and help, or raise awareness of these issues in your local area please get in contact!
Many migrants left their homes in Calais for Belgium or further afield once a report was leaked that French police were planning an 'ethnic cleansing' of the Calais area. These measures are part of an 'administrative agreement' between Gordon Brown and Nicholas Sarkozy discussed (with immigration ministers Besson and Woolas in tow) in Evian, France on the 7th July prior to the G8.
However, the Mayor of Calais has announced a likely clearing of the jungle sometime in October. Eric Besson, the immigration minister has already promised to "faire disparaitre" or "disappear" unwanted migrants and they still remain under constant threat of violence, detention and deportation.
Activists intend to stay on the ground in Calais as long as possible to offer medical and legal assistance. They intend to work with migrants to build treehouses, solar showers and other exciting bits and pieces. If you want to come to Calais and help, or raise awareness of these issues in your local area please get in contact!
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How to get involved in Calais
23.07.2009 09:18
0033 668 595765 (english) or 0033 630 225982 (french and spanish)
You can also post a comment to the blog (www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com) with your email address and/or phone number. These will not be shown publicly, but someone will contact you who is in or has recently been in Calais to help you be more prepared and put you in touch with people. So for instance, if you are a medic, we can put you in touch with other medics. Or if you have plumbing skills, etc.
So get in touch and come to Calais!
calaismigrantsolidarity
Homepage:
http://www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
If you go to Calais..
23.07.2009 16:24
Another really useful thing is decent shoes. There's a lot of swapping around of footwear as people try to find shoes that fit. Others are practically barefoot, with many cuts and sores.
Again, a rummage box might be a way of allowing people to find whatever they need without loss of dignity. Having proper shoes makes you look and feel more normal and if they actually fit, you've got a better chance of legging it when the CRS show up.
(These suggestions come from talking to migrants themselves.)
anon
other medic stuff
24.07.2009 11:02
person