Toulouse: The Peace March to meet migrants
A new edition of the March for Peace crossed the city on Sunday. With a meeting of migrants at the Ostalada place Arnaud-Bernard.
In the morning, the plaque, in front of the tree of peace, was unveiled in the Jardin Niel in the presence of Daniel Rougé, deputy mayor in charge of solidarity policies. One of the many actions of the March launched by the collective “To build peace, dare to meet”, under the theme “Meet the other in his difference”, followed Sunday by a majority of people.
Another highlight during the picnic break at the Ostalada (Secours Catholique) in Place Arnaud-Bernard. Welcomed by the managers of this reception center, these participants were able to discuss with the migrants helped by this charity. Like Esméralda, 27, a native of Albania who arrived in Toulouse four years ago where her daughter was born: “I have no papers but I feel useful in this center where I have been volunteering for six months. I learned French on the spot and that of course helped me in this integration ”. Esméralda attends her papers. “Even though I remain worried about the future and the risks are there, I have not been confronted with hatred. I do everything to be discreet ”. Manager of an optical store in Algeria, Nasara, 50 years old, has been in Toulouse since 2017: “Volunteering helps me. I had big problems with couples and violence, I had to flee ”. Without counting her efforts, she takes care of the patrols from 8 am to midnight, the breakfasts for homeless people at Raisin and does some cleaning “a job in my training would be a gift from heaven”. There is also Masoudeh, 35 years old, Iranian, arrived in Toulouse in 2019 after having undergone a forced marriage: “Thanks to the battle of my lawyer and after the refusal of Ofpra (office for the protection of refugees and stateless persons), I I was able to obtain a residence permit, explains the one who crossed Europe by boat to arrive in France. I was arrested in Greece and imprisoned for eight hours. My daughter remained in Iran. I hope she can goodbye”. The young woman followed by a therapist, a tour of resumption of studies to become social worker and help others in her.
“Youth must mobilize for society, because like the climate, it is fragile”
“All these testimonies make this day a special moment”, detail Patrick and Chantal, “new” walkers. Living this day of benevolence and listening to these often very harsh stories encourages us to review things ”. pity that few young people are present. The youth must mobilize for society because like the climate, it is fragile. “Close to them Hamid, head of the international NGO Soufie Alawyia: and that this march is useless. But when I hear these women and these men relate their journey, I don’t think so. Breaking down the barrier of ignorance, a source of fear and violence, has always been helpful. “He adds:” There will always be scapegoats to serve the interests of the beautiful. speakers ”.