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By Laure Salamon

At the initiative of Anaïs Vogel and Ludovic Holbein, the two activists who observed a hunger strike in Calais to demand a dignified and united reception of the exiles, a demonstration took place on Sunday, November 21 in Paris. “It was quite strong, several hundred people made the trip including some from Calais”, testifies Adrien Cornec, in charge of accompaniment at Cèdre, the assistance center of Secours Catholique, north-east of Paris, dedicated to exiled people.

Following the petition of the collective Faim aux frontières which was signed on Monday 22 November by 54,064 people, the hunger strikers who stopped their action on Wednesday 17 November had chosen to change their mode of action. They therefore proposed a march with other associations such as Médecins du Monde, Amnesty International, Utopia 56, La Cimade… to challenge the situation in Calais. Indeed, for several months, associations have observed an acceleration in expulsions and the requisitioning of migrants’ belongings. Everything is done to dissuade them from settling in a place. Solutions were proposed by a representative of the State sent to Calais, such as the opening of a temporary reception center, the prevention of evictions, etc.

A festive walk

Sunday, November 21, the march took place between Place Stalingrad in Paris and Place de la République, with speeches from activists, community leaders, residents and exiles from Calais especially. “It was very touching that Calaisians take the floor to say that they report the dignified welcome of these exiles. These interventions change the speeches often heard these days ”, prosecution of Secours Catholique employee.

The stroll was intended to be joyful and festive to show that this fight to improve the situation of the exiles is carried out in kindness and good humor and for “Restore energy to everyone, activists and exiles”.

Laure Salamon