MIGRANT CENTRE EVICTED BY FRENCH RIOT POLICE IN CALAIS
23:00 Sunday 7 February
Under instruction from the town authorities, the elite French CRS riot police today forcibly evicted the new Calais migrant centre – called Kronstadt Hangar - by smashing down the front doors, less than 24 hours after migrants and No Borders activists pushed through police lines to occupy the building, which has been legally rented by No Borders [1] and SoS Soutien aux Sans Papiers. [2]
Marie Chautemps said: “The Kronstadt Hangar was opened as a direct intervention into a winter of repression that the migrants in Calais have faced since their ‘jungle’ communities were destroyed in a cruel PR stunt, back in September.”
She continued that: “With the authorities blocking any attempts to create a place for migrants to shelter from constant police harassment or from the bitterly cold winter, the Kronstadt Hangar intervention was made in the name of common human respect as well as resistance to an increasingly fascist EU border policy.”
On Saturday evening, about 100 migrants came to the warehouse with the intention of entering. They were met by two separate lines of French police on either side of the hangar. Shouting “freedom! freedom!”, the migrants and No Borders activists pushed through the police lines and successfully occupied the hangar. Donations of blankets, extra-clothes, basic mattresses and hot tea were provided for the migrants.
However, after a safe and secure night, 75 CRS police arrived on Sunday afternoon and forcibly evicted the new space by smashing down the front glass doors. 12 activists were arrested, but later released, while one was taken to hospital.
The police proceeded to trash the hangar and all the possessions inside, and have welded the entrance shut, so that it is now currently impossible for anyone to re-enter the warehouse.
In a press release issued earlier today, SoS Soutien aux Sans Papiers highlighted the joint agency between the French and UK governements, in operations such as these. [3] Just as there is increased collaboration between the governments on both sides of the channel, so there is an increase in resistance to the repressive policies of Szarkozy, implemented with the approval of the British government. Alex Parks said “The authorities in Calais have been trying to remove migrants from Calais for years without success, because they are in denial about the terminal reality of the un-equal world we live in. This is not over, solidarity and resistance for the right to freedom of movement will continue in Calais.” [4]
For further comment, please call +447531647480 or email:
calaisolidarity@gmail.com
www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
ENDS
Notes to editors
[1] The No Borders network is a global movement of individuals and groups fighting for the right to freedom of movement for people, not just for the Lorries that make sections of European society rich. Since the No Border Camp held in Calais in June 2009, No Borders activists have had a constant presence in Calais under the banner of Calais Migrant Solidarity. We have monitored and documented police abuse and violent, collectively resisted evictions, organised humanitarian aid distribution, and made direct interventions for the rights of migrants.
[2] SoS Soutien aux Sans Papiers is a French organisation that fights for freedom of movement for all and migrants rights. The 2 networks have collaborated since the No Borders Camp in June 2009.
[3] For example the joint charter flight that returned migrants to Kabul at the end of last year.
[4] London No Borders are organising a protest at the French Consulate Tuesday 9th February 12.30 in solidarity with those in Calais.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Calais Update: Police Smash Their Way In
Below is the latest press release on the situation in Calais, as the police broke into the hangar this afternoon after the visiting migrants had left peacefully, fearing for their safety following the violence from the heavy police presence outside the Kronstadt hanger. The 30-40 activists inside we all arrested and taken away for questioning. The latest update indicates that the inside of the hanger has been trashed by the police and they have welded the front doors shut, preventing No Borders (who are legally renting the space) from entering). Meanwhile the routine harassment and arrest of migrants goes on and there continues to be a heavy police presence on the ground.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This afternoon, Sunday 7th February, police raided the Kronstadt Hangar in Calais, smashing glass doors and arresting those inside.
The hangar, a new space for migrants and activists in Calais rented by the No Borders network and the French organisation SoS Sans Papier [1], opened yesterday afternoon to immediate repression from the authorities.
After the opening police blockaded the streets around the hangar and tried to prevent migrants from entering. In spite of this 150 migrants went in to have tea and coffee.
When people tried to leave this lunchtime they were beated by police batons and several of them sustained injuries, including one who was hospitalised. Soon afterwards, police forced their way into the hangar, causing damage to the building and arresting those inside.
London No Borders condemns this repression of migrants and supporters in the strongest terms. Its spokesperson Thomas Hausberg said that "if providing even basic support to homeless and destitute migrants is considered a criminal offence, the state has lost all semblance of humanity."
It seems that this police repression and violence has been officially sanctioned. French Immigration Eric Besson has branded the Kronstadt Hangar "unacceptable" and in recent days Calais mayor Natasha Bouchart said she was prepared to use all means to prevent the space from opening. "Bouchart", commented Rosie Young, another No Borders activist, "seems to have a personal vendetta against the migrants".
This Tuesday London No Borders and No Borders Brighton are calling for a protest at 12.30pm outside the French Consulate in London.
London No Borders
http://london.noborders.org.uk
For further comments please call 07535 319119 or e-mail
noborderslondon@riseup.net
[1] At a press conference hosted by London No Borders last Thursday, it was explained that the aim of the Kronstadt Hangar is to provide a safe space for migrants and supporters to meet, to make the migrants visible and give them a voice of their own. For more details on the press conference see:
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/4265
See also Guardian article from Thursday:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/feb/04/asylum-seekers-calais-uk-france
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This afternoon, Sunday 7th February, police raided the Kronstadt Hangar in Calais, smashing glass doors and arresting those inside.
The hangar, a new space for migrants and activists in Calais rented by the No Borders network and the French organisation SoS Sans Papier [1], opened yesterday afternoon to immediate repression from the authorities.
After the opening police blockaded the streets around the hangar and tried to prevent migrants from entering. In spite of this 150 migrants went in to have tea and coffee.
When people tried to leave this lunchtime they were beated by police batons and several of them sustained injuries, including one who was hospitalised. Soon afterwards, police forced their way into the hangar, causing damage to the building and arresting those inside.
London No Borders condemns this repression of migrants and supporters in the strongest terms. Its spokesperson Thomas Hausberg said that "if providing even basic support to homeless and destitute migrants is considered a criminal offence, the state has lost all semblance of humanity."
It seems that this police repression and violence has been officially sanctioned. French Immigration Eric Besson has branded the Kronstadt Hangar "unacceptable" and in recent days Calais mayor Natasha Bouchart said she was prepared to use all means to prevent the space from opening. "Bouchart", commented Rosie Young, another No Borders activist, "seems to have a personal vendetta against the migrants".
This Tuesday London No Borders and No Borders Brighton are calling for a protest at 12.30pm outside the French Consulate in London.
London No Borders
http://london.noborders.org.uk
For further comments please call 07535 319119 or e-mail
noborderslondon@riseup.net
[1] At a press conference hosted by London No Borders last Thursday, it was explained that the aim of the Kronstadt Hangar is to provide a safe space for migrants and supporters to meet, to make the migrants visible and give them a voice of their own. For more details on the press conference see:
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/4265
See also Guardian article from Thursday:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/feb/04/asylum-seekers-calais-uk-france
Demonstration At The French Consulate In London, Tuesday 9 February
No Borders Brighton and London NoBorders call for a demonstration at the French Consulate in London (opposite the National History Museum on Cromwell Road) to protest against the repression of the new Kronstadt Hangar project in Calais by the French authorities.
Time: Tuesday, 9 February, 12.30pm,
Venue: French Consulate , 27 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2EN
Please bring banners and instruments.
Time: Tuesday, 9 February, 12.30pm,
Venue: French Consulate , 27 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2EN
Please bring banners and instruments.
Kronstadt Hanger Update
The following was posted by Calais Migrants Solidarity on Indymedia:
About 12.30 French time today everyone was in the No Borders/Kronstadt warehouse, chilling out, when police came to surround the building. People were told they can leave the building, but couldn’t return for lunch. Police say this is an ‘Order from the council’.
The response from the 100 or so people in the building was ‘fine, then we won’t leave’. A phone call to someone in the building described the situation as “everyone seemed to understand our political stance. Eventually some people tried to leave, and discovered that all the surrounding roads had been blocked by police. Then riots cops charged us several times, hitting out with batons. A friend got whacked on the mouth while lying on the floor – we managed to find a way out and are on our way to hospital now. One of the undercover cops, calling himself Msr Buzin, said that anyone can leave, but can’t return for to eat [?]. They are effectively starving people out of the building”
There are still about 100 people inside, mainly Pashtun. Local French journalists are around, but no British press.
If anyone can pass this on to UK press that would be good.
Also more help on the ground appreciated
About 12.30 French time today everyone was in the No Borders/Kronstadt warehouse, chilling out, when police came to surround the building. People were told they can leave the building, but couldn’t return for lunch. Police say this is an ‘Order from the council’.
The response from the 100 or so people in the building was ‘fine, then we won’t leave’. A phone call to someone in the building described the situation as “everyone seemed to understand our political stance. Eventually some people tried to leave, and discovered that all the surrounding roads had been blocked by police. Then riots cops charged us several times, hitting out with batons. A friend got whacked on the mouth while lying on the floor – we managed to find a way out and are on our way to hospital now. One of the undercover cops, calling himself Msr Buzin, said that anyone can leave, but can’t return for to eat [?]. They are effectively starving people out of the building”
There are still about 100 people inside, mainly Pashtun. Local French journalists are around, but no British press.
If anyone can pass this on to UK press that would be good.
Also more help on the ground appreciated
Kronstadt Hanger Under Police Seige In Calais
For Immediate Release: 05/02/10
Police blockade newly-opened space for migrants and activists in Calais.
Today, despite a heavy police presence migrants successfully entered the newly-opened Kronstadt hangar at the invitation of No Borders activists. The hangar is intended to be a space for information-sharing, debate and practical solidarity.
Together, around 100 activists and migrants broke through police lines chanting “Freedom! Freedom!”. Riot police in full body protection are currently circling the building and threatening the migrants with mass arrests. People are currently occupying the building.
Stephane Blois, from Calais Migrant Solidarity, explains: “When the police cleared the jungle, they used coaches like those outside the hangar to transport hundreds of migrants to the detention centre. What we see here tonight is another example of repressive policing where migrants are routinely arrested and then shortly after released shortly. We want to work together here to resist this coordinated strategy of cross-channel oppression.” [1]
The increase in opposition to the policies of the French state in Calais are testiment to the failure of an immigration system which rests on using police repression to drive away migrants. [2] Besson´s attempt to make the town a “migrant-free zone” can never be successful because it does not acknowledge the number of factors that contribute to migration.
The events of tonight show the force of the state´s response to any form of opposition to the current border regime. The hangar was opened in response to the extreme situation in Calais and as an act of solidarity with migrants. Jenny Roberts said: “This is not a new Sangatte. This is the result of the endless persecution of migrants in Calais, and the hangar was opened with the support of local humanitarian organisations and some residents.” [3]
To speak to someone in the hangar call 0033 699 746 700
Contact in France: noborder-groupelocal-calais@hotmail.fr
Contact in the UK: calaisolidarity@gmail.com
http://noborders.org.uk
http://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] In November, NoBorders activists from both sides of the Channel organised a demonstration at the centre of joint intelligence in Folkestone and in December the first joint charter flight between the UK and France took place.
[2] The media response to the high-profile destruction of the jungle in September showed the concerns surrounding the methods used by the French government . Alan Johnson, the UK Home Secretary, said he was “delighted” with the operation.
[3] No Borders activists have maintained a presence in Calais since the No Border camp last June, and this new collaboration with associations is an expression of the urgent need to have a political response to ongoing oppression which has escalated since the destruction of the jungle in September. For an overview, see
www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
Police blockade newly-opened space for migrants and activists in Calais.
Today, despite a heavy police presence migrants successfully entered the newly-opened Kronstadt hangar at the invitation of No Borders activists. The hangar is intended to be a space for information-sharing, debate and practical solidarity.
Together, around 100 activists and migrants broke through police lines chanting “Freedom! Freedom!”. Riot police in full body protection are currently circling the building and threatening the migrants with mass arrests. People are currently occupying the building.
Stephane Blois, from Calais Migrant Solidarity, explains: “When the police cleared the jungle, they used coaches like those outside the hangar to transport hundreds of migrants to the detention centre. What we see here tonight is another example of repressive policing where migrants are routinely arrested and then shortly after released shortly. We want to work together here to resist this coordinated strategy of cross-channel oppression.” [1]
The increase in opposition to the policies of the French state in Calais are testiment to the failure of an immigration system which rests on using police repression to drive away migrants. [2] Besson´s attempt to make the town a “migrant-free zone” can never be successful because it does not acknowledge the number of factors that contribute to migration.
The events of tonight show the force of the state´s response to any form of opposition to the current border regime. The hangar was opened in response to the extreme situation in Calais and as an act of solidarity with migrants. Jenny Roberts said: “This is not a new Sangatte. This is the result of the endless persecution of migrants in Calais, and the hangar was opened with the support of local humanitarian organisations and some residents.” [3]
To speak to someone in the hangar call 0033 699 746 700
Contact in France: noborder-groupelocal-calais@hotmail.fr
Contact in the UK: calaisolidarity@gmail.com
http://noborders.org.uk
http://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] In November, NoBorders activists from both sides of the Channel organised a demonstration at the centre of joint intelligence in Folkestone and in December the first joint charter flight between the UK and France took place.
[2] The media response to the high-profile destruction of the jungle in September showed the concerns surrounding the methods used by the French government . Alan Johnson, the UK Home Secretary, said he was “delighted” with the operation.
[3] No Borders activists have maintained a presence in Calais since the No Border camp last June, and this new collaboration with associations is an expression of the urgent need to have a political response to ongoing oppression which has escalated since the destruction of the jungle in September. For an overview, see
www.calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Two More Migrants Killed By Egypt On Israel's Border
Two more Africa migrants were shot dead by Egyptian police on Thursday as they tried to cross into Israel. This brings to four the total dying at the border this week, with another critically wounded. Not only to the Egyptian authorities collaborate in enforcing Israel's brutal treatment of the Gazan Palestinians through the blockade, but they are also guilty of acting as surrogates in their brutal treatment of migrants trying to cross clandestinely into Israel.
The Empress' New Clothes In Reverse
Back in 1997, Nu Labour snuck into Maggie's backyard and knicked some old clothes off the Tory washing line, so desperate were they to doll themselves up in her garb, in order to get themselves elected, only stopping just short of the blue rinse.
Now they have clearly seen that the writing is once again on the wall: Thou shalt not get elected this time round! So forewarned they delved into their old dressing up box and tried on their old washed out red rags, so faded now that they hardly look even pink, in order to try and look the part when they try to mimic a bit of the class struggle politics ... but it tastes like ashes in their mouths.
What to do? We're all going to loose out on the gravy train.
Now, so desperate are they that they will try anything, even donning the shop-soiled and distinctly seedy garb of the BNP just to knee their grubby little hands on the reigns of power.
But then again, why should we be so surprised. After all, it is only the Telegraph and Mail that think they have not been brutal enough with all those asylum seekers and foreign students - nobody really believes that "open door immigration policy" rhetoric, just ask anyone banged up in Colnbrook or Yarl's Wood.
So what exactly does she say in her article in the Mail!? Yes, the Mail that renowned friend to the Labour Party.
"I think we need to be radical in our thinking and look at drawing up a point system based on length of residence, citizenship or national insurance contributions which ensures that economic migrants can only access social housing and key benefits when they have paid into the system."
So it's the amount one has paid into the system, the length of time one has lived in the UK (if you were born here of course) or one has held a UK passport. Which kind of shows up the following part of her article: "This isn’t about race, it’s about having a transparent system which people understand and which is fair", as the lie it is. Clearly it is about race, about fear of 'the other', as the only way a foreigner i.e. someone not born in the UK or at least not born to UK citizens, could 'earn' the right is to have paid sufficient NI contributions and taxes.
Also, would this be a graduated entitlement or an absolute entitlement with a threshold for contributions above which one would be entitled? Clearly either would favour those earning higher salaries or wages, reinforcing the Labour party's abandonment of the working class. They have systematically ignored their original support base in order to steal the Empress' New Clothes and now they have belatedly come to the realisation that the fascists have stolen their old clothes that they left out for the dustmen. And instead of trying to win their lost voters back back by showing just how insidious the BNP's racism is, they are trying to adopt the BNP's very own fashion sense (and platform).
A final thought: The Mail regularly states that the BNP and everything it stands for is an anathema to it, yet why do the 3 Hodge-related articles [1, 2, 3] on Thursday contain the same picture of Il Duce Griffin that is almost twice the size of Hodge's?
Now they have clearly seen that the writing is once again on the wall: Thou shalt not get elected this time round! So forewarned they delved into their old dressing up box and tried on their old washed out red rags, so faded now that they hardly look even pink, in order to try and look the part when they try to mimic a bit of the class struggle politics ... but it tastes like ashes in their mouths.
What to do? We're all going to loose out on the gravy train.
Now, so desperate are they that they will try anything, even donning the shop-soiled and distinctly seedy garb of the BNP just to knee their grubby little hands on the reigns of power.
But then again, why should we be so surprised. After all, it is only the Telegraph and Mail that think they have not been brutal enough with all those asylum seekers and foreign students - nobody really believes that "open door immigration policy" rhetoric, just ask anyone banged up in Colnbrook or Yarl's Wood.
So what exactly does she say in her article in the Mail!? Yes, the Mail that renowned friend to the Labour Party.
"I think we need to be radical in our thinking and look at drawing up a point system based on length of residence, citizenship or national insurance contributions which ensures that economic migrants can only access social housing and key benefits when they have paid into the system."
So it's the amount one has paid into the system, the length of time one has lived in the UK (if you were born here of course) or one has held a UK passport. Which kind of shows up the following part of her article: "This isn’t about race, it’s about having a transparent system which people understand and which is fair", as the lie it is. Clearly it is about race, about fear of 'the other', as the only way a foreigner i.e. someone not born in the UK or at least not born to UK citizens, could 'earn' the right is to have paid sufficient NI contributions and taxes.
Also, would this be a graduated entitlement or an absolute entitlement with a threshold for contributions above which one would be entitled? Clearly either would favour those earning higher salaries or wages, reinforcing the Labour party's abandonment of the working class. They have systematically ignored their original support base in order to steal the Empress' New Clothes and now they have belatedly come to the realisation that the fascists have stolen their old clothes that they left out for the dustmen. And instead of trying to win their lost voters back back by showing just how insidious the BNP's racism is, they are trying to adopt the BNP's very own fashion sense (and platform).
A final thought: The Mail regularly states that the BNP and everything it stands for is an anathema to it, yet why do the 3 Hodge-related articles [1, 2, 3] on Thursday contain the same picture of Il Duce Griffin that is almost twice the size of Hodge's?
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