“This party is vital for us”: in Toulouse, the fairgrounds settle by force on the island of Ramier
This Saturday, in the early morning, about twenty fairground people forced themselves into a parking lot on the island of Ramiers, opposite the Stadium. The town hall has launched an eviction procedure, fearing an accident and parking problems on match days at the Stadium.
“This carnival is vital for us, it represents three months of salary. By October 16, we should be able to make up for some of our losses, ”explains Eric Davèque, a showman at the Saint-Michel festival. Behind him, several attractions are just waiting for the arrival of the public, which he hopes will be numerous.
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Toulouse: angry, the fairgrounds of the Saint-Michel festival try to invade the Zénith
This Saturday, in the early morning, the conflict between the town hall and the fairground experienced a new episode. Around 4 a.m., around twenty trucks carrying rides arrived in the parking lot on the island of Ramier. Just behind hall 7 which, for several weeks, a vaccination center service.
These men then mobilized to install part of the attractions on this site, including the traditional platforms for the bumper cars. “It’s a place that the town hall had offered us at the base. It is clearly too small for 96 rides, but as there are only 18 of us left today, that suits us”, notes Eric Devèque.
An eviction procedure
This action without consultation had the gift of reacting Jean-Luc Moudenc, the mayor of Toulouse. In a press release, the most influential politician in the Pink City explains: “I condemn what must be called a coup de force, in defiance of all security rules. Despite the discussions we have had with them in recent weeks, some showmen have chosen not to respect the commitments made. This intrusion compromises the elements of convergence that we were able to outline together last week and undermines the trust essential to the work to be carried out jointly for the coming years. »
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Toulouse: fairgrounds settle on the island of Ramier without authorization
The town’s mayor has initiated eviction proceedings. This Saturday afternoon, a bailiff rushed to the scene to see the offence. The municipality fears the organization of a wild party. “If someone gets hurt when the place is not insured, what do we do? asks an elected official. Another fear: parking around the Stadium. This Sunday at 3 p.m., the Toulouse Football Club hosts Montpellier, an event that should draw a lot of people to the island of Ramier. The presence of showmen in this car park, normally privatized for supporter buses, could cause organizational problems. “Everyone will be able to park, as usual. We don’t bother anyone here, ”assures Eric Devèque, serene. To date, discussions between the two parties have not resumed.
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Toulouse: fairgrounds formalize the cancellation of the Saint-Michel 2022 party