Two activists, with the support of members of Emmaus, are calling for a halt to the closure of migrant camps by winter.
On Wednesday, the association announced that more than 300 members of Imaus have begun a 24-hour “symbolic fast” in support of strikers in Calais who disagree with the state’s policy on immigrants.
A month ago, two local activists, Anis Vogel and Ludovic Holbein, have been on a mating strike. Reverend Philippe Demeester, 72, was the third striker, but ended his career last week.
The government sent a mediator to Calais to find a way out of the crisis. This mediation is being carried out by the Director-General of the Office of Immigration and Integration (Ofia), Didier Lesche, and is still ongoing.
Nearly 1,400 migrants have been accepted into a temporary reception center in recent days. On Wednesday, the governorate announced the distribution of 300 camp beds in two barns.
Posters on the walls of the barn remind of the dangers of crossing the English Channel by boat to Great Britain, according to AFP.
– This is not enough – believes the coordinator of the NGO Utopia 56 Ludivine Kolas. “300 places cannot meet the needs of 1,500 people in Calais,” Colas says. Mer Calais Natacha Bouchard is concerned about the re-establishment of a new “forest” of immigrants in the city. Bouchard asked the authorities to close the camp.
Immigrants come to Calais every day to try to reach Great Britain via the English Channel. In recent weeks, dozens of migrants have died either in road accidents or failed attempts to cross the sea.
