Calais: Squatters turn the table on authorities

In theory, there are laws which protect squatters in France, but these are shirked everyday in Calais. It is apparent that the police and the City do not feel that they have to respect the law when it comes to squats in Calais, both because of their racist politics and the fact so far they have not had any negative/legal consequences for the illegal evictions they have performed in the past.

Squatters, who occupied a house in Route de St. Omer, Calais last week and had been evicted illegally, decided to challenge the cop’s reckless behaviour, authorized by the prefect. He and representatives of OPH will have to face justice/retribution already on 22nd of January.

Would be great, a lot of you show up to support the people, who try to dissuade the cops from evicting squats in the future.

Court case will take place at 9 am, in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Regional court at Place de la Resistance.

See you there!

Donations are welcome and needed!

Mark the payment for “CALAID”

For sending cheques:
“Vivre sans aéroport” :
La Primaudière
44130 NDDL

– pour faire un virement :
La Banque postale
Etablissement 20041
n° de compte : 1162852D032
IBAN : FR83 2004 1010 1111 6285 2D03 236
BIC : PSSTFRPPNTE

From: en.squat.net

Calais: Global No Border squat on Rue Caillette safe for now

From Calais Migrant Solidarity:

Today the court in Calais declared the municipality’s request for the eviction of the squat on Rue Caillette “unreceivable” for procedural reasons. This means that the city will have to resubmit and argue their case all over again before being able to evict, giving those living there more valuable time before being forced back onto Calais’ streets.

The ineptitude of the municipality in how they handled this case has been surprising although very welcome. Apparently, when forced to respect the law and abide by procedure the city does not know what to do, having gotten so accustomed to breaking down doors and throwing people out over the years (old habits die hard).

It has been amazing to watch the evolution of this squat over time as people from many different parts of the world have made it their home together and organized autonomously within it, proving once again what is possible if people have just a bit of security and control in their living space.

In the meantime another property on Boulevard Victor Hugo has been occupied and legal procedure forced, although is not yet in process. For the past weeks this building has been used by a mobile kitchen to cook food which is being distributed at the squats and jungles at night for those observing Ramadan and to help alleviate the general hunger that comes from living off of just one meal a day at Salam. Longterm, this space is intended to be used as a safe house for particularly vulnerable people such as women, children, and those who are ill or in an especially difficult situation. Despite the Adjoint Mayor Phillippe Mignonet’s statement that he will make life hell for us here (something which he added was not a threat but a promise for as much as a politician’s promises are worth) the space has been receiving much support from the neighbors and will hopefully continue to function as well as Rue Caillette in the future.

Calais: Global No Borders Squat in court today

From Calais Migrant Solidarity:

The global no border squat faced court again today, for the third time. This time arguments were heard. The prosecution, on behalf of the Mayor makes claims for rent and damages – with figures pulled out of thin air, and no authorization to sue by the Municipality, who owns the building (empty for several years). Allegations are made against an occupant for damage to the door – without an ounce of evidence.

The defence argues occupants are many, some without papers and some claiming asylum in France. All are forced to live extremely harsh conditions without access to housing and, if evicted, there is no recourse for anyone to be re-homed. All will have to live on the street. They ask for another 2 months according Article 62, of Law 91-650 of 9 July 1991 of the Code of Civil Procedure : (for future squatters out there, its useful to know … )

“If the eviction is on premises used for the principal dwelling of the person being evicted or any occupant’s head, it can not take place without prejudice to the provisions of Articles L.613-1 to L.613-5 Code of Construction and Housing, at the expiration of a period of two months following the command. however, by special reasoned decision, the judge can, especially when the people whose expulsion has ordered entered the premises by assault, reduce or eliminate this delay.

When the expulsion of the person concerned would have consequences of an exceptional hardness, especially because of the period of that year or weather conditions, the period may be extended by the judge for a term not exceeding three months .

From the command having to vacate the premises, the bailiff in charge of the execution of the expulsion order must inform the representative of the State in the Department for consideration of the application for relocation of the occupant within the departmental plan of action for the housing disadvantaged people under the Act n ° 90-449 of 31 May 1990 concerning the implementation of the right to housing.”

And as for the door, the damage was caused by the cops (sound familiar) smashing it in when trying to serve papers from the bailiff to occupants inside (despite the big letter box clearly in the middle of the door). The prosecution had no evidence when, or by who, the damage was caused.

The judge adjourned the decision until 18th July.

Calais: Court adjourned for global No Borders squat

FToday the court hearing for a squat housing sans papiers, asylum seekers and documented people who are without shelter in Calais is adjourned until 2nd July 2013.

Here is an open letter to the court written and signed by occupants of the building, from Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania and from countries across Europe :

If there was a place for new migrants to stay it would give people a better chance for a better future. In Calais there is no-where for migrants to sleep.

If we are kicked out of this house out we have no-where to go. We are without family in Calais and do not have other places to stay.

This house gives us a chance for people from different countries and different cultures to stay in one place together off of the street.

If we are given a chance we want to live together with people in Europe.

All people living in this house have run away from problems in different countries. We did not leave our country for nothing.

And this is the only home we have now.

If you can help us, give us more time, more space and more chance.

The people living here do not have any money, and it is not life here.

No money to rent a house. And we cannot rent anywhere without papers.

This is the only place we can stay.

We live in a little hole right now. We are like mice running from cats. Don’t close this hole.

We thought Europe would be a paradise, but don’t change paradise to hell.

It can be a long day in Calais. There is too much cold outside and inside the house. The weather is difficult and there is no-where to put our head. We sleep on the floor, underground and aboveground.

And inside us we have too much problems.

Here there is water, a toilet but no shower. Before there was electricity but now we use candles at night.

We buy a can of tomatoes for 250g and cook it with pasta or rice to make food for everyone everyday. But it is not enough. There is not coffee or tea or sugar for the people. Only water.

We live our lives in a queue, everywhere. For food, for shower, for toilet, for prefecture, for everything.

France is a big country and has a history that says they know human rights for people from Third World countries. Where are the human rights?

We want people from France to care about us and about our problems and help find a solution for our life and troubles.

And to give us emotions and happiness for our lives.

People can fall into crime if you don’t care about us.

If people do not give a hand to us we will fall deeper into problems.

We are all people. Everyone should have a good life and a chance in life.

Our life is not over but it is not easy. We tried to leave problems and we find more problems. There is no justice.

We need people to open a new gate for a a new family in Europe.”

And the call out for the court :

THE SCANDAL OF EMPTY HOUSES

The UK and French government have been trying to ‘free’ Calais of migrants for years through a strategy of tight surveillance at the border and relentless harassment by the police in town.

In Calais undocumented people, asylum seekers and refugees sleep wherever they can find shelter : in abandoned buildings, under bridges, in parks or the jungles in and around town. Evictions are frequent, leaving people of all ages to sleep rough.

Border and riot police constantly conduct raids and ID controls ; arresting and detaining people, destroying their shelters and vandalising their belongings and blankets.

The city is full of empty houses, and full of people living on the street.

For years the police and the City have been systematically evicting squats illegally, breaking an entry into buildings, evicting people without a home, without authorisation from the owner or a court order.

In February 2013 people open a new home for people with and without papers in Calais. To shelter from police harassment on the streets and the harsh weather of a long winter.

The City try to evict but they can’t get in (see :http://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com/page/4)

Occupants force the City who own the building, derelict and empty for many years, to get a court order if they want to evict.

It works, and for 5 months – so far – the police have not been allowed to enter.

People take rest there from many countries; Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania and from countries across Europe. And also people under-age who are left street homeless in Calais.

Tea or a meal is shared. It is a place for exchange : language classes, asylum information, detention support. People cook together, play cards and get to know each other.

But the mayor of Calais builds a case against the occupants : she is determined to make sure empty houses remain empty, and the homeless remain on the street.

And now there is a trial, the Mayor wants to expel.

TRIAL : Tuesday, June 18 at 9am

The court of Calais (Place Crève Coeur)

COME WITH US AND DEMAND :

* The right to a roof for everyone

* The right to requisition unused public buildings

* A housing solution for everyone

* Stop evictions and destruction of squats and people’s means of shelter

* Freedom of movement and settlement for any and all people