We are a group of people from different countries and different political backgrounds who are fighting for the right to housing for everyone , whatever their origin. Since the end of February we have held three empty public buildings, abandoned by the DPO of Calais on Rue de Vic, Rue Auber and Rue Massena. Although there are no plans for these houses, the DPO has engaged in legal proceedings and the court has ruled that the buildings are to be vacated on 30th May

Since the end of February, in the three squats, lives have been created and many links with neighbors have been built. These are temporary places, but necessary. Solidarity and housing are crucial for survival in daily life.

We demand that the sub-prefect do not send the police or intervene on May 30 or the following days, to forcefully evict these three occupied buildings.

We call for a meeting between residents, representatives of DPOs and Subprefecture to reach an agreement on the occupation of buildings.

And we do not stop there…

Calais and elsewhere:

Help us and express your disagreement with the planned evictions of squats rue Massena, rue de Vic and rue Auber, and the possible eviction of other areas which are home to migrants

. Write to the sub-prefect of Calais Alain Gérard 9 Esplanade Vendroux BP357 62100 Calais Tel: 03.21.19.70.70 Fax: 03.21.19.70.71 or the prefect of Pas de Calais Denis Robin Rue Ferdinand Buisson 62020 Arras Cedex 9 Tel: 03.21.21.20.00 Fax: 03.21.55.30.30

Come to Calais and show your support  http://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com/coming-to-calais-2/advice-for-activists/

[Communique published on the  Calais Migrant Solidarity BLOG]

Update on Situation in Calais

The mayor of Calais, Natach Bouchart has decided on the evictions of the two main camps, known as the Syria Camp and Eritrea Camp. Despite these names, these camps are home to members of many different communities. There are over 300 people in the Syrian Camp in front of Salam, and the Eritrean camp has also undergone a massive influx recently, potentially doubling the number of inhabitants in the last weeks. Migrants of all the communities know about the eviction threat.
The three No Borders squats, opened at the end of February, are also facing eviction at the end of May. These three squats are also providing homes for many people, especially since the eviction of the Sudanese Jungle in mid April. The loss of these buildings will only add to the number of people sleeping in the already overcrowded camps.

Numbers are in Calais are at the biggest for a long time, there are reports that around 500 people are eating at Salam everyday at the moment. There are also many unaccompanied minors coming through Calais at the moment and staying in the camps. A lot of pressure is being put on the scarce resources available to those in Calais. There aren’t enough showers, pallet and wood sources, food, clothes or sleeping stuff to go around.
Of course the response of Bouchart is the same as usual: evictions and more police repression. It is the way of the French State and local authorities to keep numbers down. There is a sharp increase of police violence in the zones of passage and in the Afghan jungle. People have complained of being gassed, beaten while trying to cross, many so badly they have to go for hospital treatment. One man was gassed in the eyes and one had a gun pointed to his head. In the Afghan jungle the police go often to spray tents, bedding, food, cooking utensils. Many people are getting arrested. Police violence is escalating massively, only where nobody is watching.
No Borders have very little in the way of tents, blankets, clothes and tarp at the moment. Along with the vestiaire, No Borders are the main distributers of tents and blankets; the failure of the associations to provide even the most basic essentials being incredibly evident. Even without the threat of massive eviction though, we do not have enough of anything left in the garage.
The summer can be a good time to collect these things. If you are involved with any festivals this summer or are going to one or have friends who are, tents and sleeping bags are always desperately needed in Calais. Many tents and sleeping bags are simply abandoned after the festival and if you are able to spend some time collecting them, especially if you have a van, it would be helpful.
For donations of clothes, tents and blankets:
No Borders.
Phone: 0033 645 46 59 86 (from inside France)