Friday, April 22, 2016

In Paris, a disused school occupied by migrants and militants – Liberation

Before the gates of the abandoned school Jean-Jaurès, in the XIX th arrondissement of Paris, a police exchange with activists and migrants who occupy the place. “I want to know as much information about what is going on inside,” repeats the man calmly. So that everyone understands the situation, a young handles the translation into Arabic. In the morning on Friday, the collective “! Standing Chapelle” is entered in this former high school with a dual purpose: to prevent migrants from sleeping in the street while wearing loud their claims

. in this imposing building, the militants of “standing Chapelle!” refuse to disclose the number of migrants present. “ The building is so big … I can just tell you that there are many ,” says one man. According to an activist, many come from the camp of Stalingrad, named for the Paris metro station, in the same district, home to “men, women and children in particularly precarious conditions.” If multiple nationalities seem present, they are not disclosed. “We are all migrants, regardless of our origin,” summarizes a man responsible for transmitting the message of those present.



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to get inside, it must pass horizontally through narrow bars. Once entered, the media are expelled. “ The decision was taken at a general meeting: no journalists inside for now .” An activist speaks to one of the few migrants who want to express: “ We must explain that they will keep a short excerpt of his interview. Either he repeats the same message, either he makes short sentences. “As for journalists who wish to still question the inside, the message is firm. “ Respect their will, and stay out !”

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Among racks Jean-Jaures high school, we exchange as much information as material. “I have a guy in the kitchen standing committee of Night on the phone, he asked what we need?” exclaims a man with his comrades. “A stove and pans! And if you can find mattresses and clothes that would be great, “ is told behind the gates. Others come by car to reach DIY tools. Not far away, the order forces scrutinize the scene of a suspicious look. “Watch, they noted your plate,” alert activist. While it is organized logistically, nobody seems ready to leave. A young woman warns: “. We indefinitely remain”

“Racism in homes”

At a general meeting, activists and migrants send their requests through the gates of the school. First on getting papers. “It is unacceptable to favor approaches based on nationalities,” reports a man. Everyone mentioned the difficulties to her immigration status. The state is also criticized for its inability to solve the problems of each: “Why, when I ask for help, they send me to associations?” rebels are we. Another major problem, housing: “It is the worst outbreaks that seas we leaked. There is racism. We find ourselves unable to come and go. And when there is a problem is the street that [ends] “ A migrant wishes to conclude his speech with a heartfelt message.” We thank the people and the solidarity french people.

Cyril Castelliti

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