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
Comments
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Attacks on me personally
22.06.2012 20:12
On my last visit I was trying to stop a fight in the park, some friends were drinking and two started fighting, me and another friend went to separate them so they don't hurt each other which is what any good friend would do I suppose, police arrived and arrested the four of us, 3 Afghan men (one still a boy) and a Italian woman.
I resisted arrest because I did not see for what reason they should arrest me, I was not drunk this time and I always intervene to stop fights, at food distributions for instance.
We all were ill treated, I was slapped in the back of the head, had my hair pulled, lost a handful of hair, they called me names, the other Afghan friend who went to separate the others was kicked in the stomach 3 times, the boy was nearly assaulted with gas and batons because he freaked out when they locked him in the cell.
They kept us for 10 hours with no food no water and one blanket for 2 people.
That was the central station not Coquelles.
I was released at 3 in the morning, the cop who released me told me that my friends were to be released hours after and I could go home. I said that it is dangerous for a woman to walk alone at 3 in the morning, he said that France is not a good country, with which I agree, and I am no borders so I should not be afraid of anything,
however the cop was also a lier cos my friends were released just after me, and they gave me accommodation in their tent, made me tea, France is not a good country but Afghanistan is a very good country, we smoked some cigarette butts cos the cops had taken my tobacco too
and what is worst they have taken my passport, and all the police on duty that night say they have not seen it
and also they took some papers from my friends.
Chiara
Afghanistan is a very good country - you should go back
23.06.2012 09:01
So you go around the place getting drunk and being disorderly? Great start
>> On my last visit I was trying to stop a fight in the park, some friends were drinking and two started fighting, me and another friend went to separate them so they don't hurt each other which is what any good friend would do I suppose, police arrived and arrested the four of us, 3 Afghan men (one still a boy) and a Italian woman.
So, you get drunk and get into fights in public spaces. Great.... makes me feel safe to walk around at night with all these illegal immigrants getting drunk and fighting.
>> I resisted arrest because I did not see for what reason they should arrest me, I was not drunk this time and I always intervene to stop fights, at food distributions for instance.
So you are suddenly in charge of who should be arrested now? I don't know how you do things in Afghanistan, but here we don't get into fights. If we do - we are arrested.
Sounds like these food distributions places are dodgy with fights there too. I'll be avoided those places as they sound dangerous.
>> We all were ill treated, I was slapped in the back of the head, had my hair pulled, lost a handful of hair, they called me names, the other Afghan friend who went to separate the others was kicked in the stomach 3 times, the boy was nearly assaulted with gas and batons because he freaked out when they locked him in the cell.
Resisting arrest means the use of force. Ever heard of the phrase "come quietly". Or "The easy way or the hard way..."
>> They kept us for 10 hours with no food no water and one blanket for 2 people.
Yep, thats arrested.
>> I was released at 3 in the morning, the cop who released me told me that my friends were to be released hours after and I could go home. I said that it is dangerous for a woman to walk alone at 3 in the morning, he said that France is not a good country, with which I agree, and I am no borders so I should not be afraid of anything,
Not safe because of all the illegal immigrants fighting and robbing people because they are starving.
>> however the cop was also a lier cos my friends were released just after me, and they gave me accommodation in their tent, made me tea,
A happy ending.
>> France is not a good country but Afghanistan is a very good country,
WTF? Ok - so heres the 64,000 question........ what the fuck are you doing in France. Why not go back to Afghanistan because it a very good country, You are making no sense at all.
>> we smoked some cigarette butts cos the cops had taken my tobacco too
Great... you are living on handouts to survive, yet you can afford to be tobacco.
Heres one for you: I don't smoke because it is too expensive. Yet i pay for my own shelter and food. Quick tip: Quit smoking = more money in pocket to spend on food.
>> and what is worst they have taken my passport, and all the police on duty that night say they have not seen it and also they took some papers from my friends.
Yeah whatever
anon
Re Chiara
23.06.2012 12:31
A
anon
23.06.2012 16:22
Calais activist
if they could read they won't be so stupid
24.06.2012 14:09
C