Near Toulouse, migrants from the banks of the Garonne open a new squat
After the evacuation of the slum on the banks of the Garonne, near Empalot, the many Roma families who were not rehoused opened a new squat in Colomiers.
The opening of a new squat last Friday was predictable. After the evacuation of the camp on the banks of the Garonne, in Toulouse, Tuesday, November 29, only about twenty Albanian Roma families were relocated by the prefecture of Haute-Garonne. Those in an irregular situation, about thirty, had left this shantytown a few days before the intervention of the police. Without specifying to the associations where they were going. About ten days later, about ten kilometers away, the 90 scattered migrants gathered in the former Lasplanes retirement home, in Colomiers, to open a squat. At 4 chemin de Cournedis, life resumes in the building that has been vacant for several months.
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As soon as they arrived, the occupants took out some Christmas decorations, hidden in an old dusty cardboard box. They adorned the surroundings of their new home with garlands. To preserve their privacy, they taped newspapers to some windows. In front of the padlocked gates, members of associations huddle. “No one enters before a judicial police officer and a bailiff see that the building is occupied”, warns one of them. them.
The announcement of the creation of this squat, where the water and electricity were not cut off, was carried out like wildfire. Other Albanian Roma families are arriving in dribs and drabs every day. According to several associations, the number of occupants, currently 140, should increase further. “These people had no other solution. They are in a vulnerable situation on the street. With the arrival of negative temperatures, it is unacceptable for children to sleep outside. Especially in view of Emmanuel Macron’s announcements on the subject…”, plagues a volunteer from an association.
Ongoing legal proceedings
Karine Traval-Michelet, mayor of Colomiers and vice-president of Toulouse Métropole, also deplored the lack of support from the State following the eviction of the camp near Empalot.
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“I contacted the prefect of Haute-Garonne to be informed of the administrative and family situation of these people. I also asked him that the State play its part in relocating these families, under competences which are above all his. Finally, I asked the Prefect to guarantee the tranquility of the neighborhood and organize a meeting as soon as possible with the various authorities in charge of supporting these people, at the forefront integrated the services of the State “, writes the chosen one.
The owner of the building has taken legal action to “recover enjoyment”.