Home Australia French leftist theatre faces bankruptcy after opening its doors to 250 African migrants for a free show… and they refused to leave and remain in the building five weeks later

French leftist theatre faces bankruptcy after opening its doors to 250 African migrants for a free show… and they refused to leave and remain in the building five weeks later

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Daily demonstrations have been held on the steps of the theater, known for hosting radical performances.

A Paris theater known for its radical shows and exhibitions has been occupied by more than 250 African immigrants after they were allowed in for a free event five weeks ago.

On December 10, the Gaîté Lyrique theater in Paris hosted the conference entitled Reinventing the reception of refugees in France.

It included talks organized by academics from top universities and Red Cross officials, and saw activists welcome migrants.

But when the conference ended, the immigrants, who come mainly from former French colonies in West Africa, refused to leave.

Still busy, the theater is now facing bankruptcy after weeks without income from ticket sales, and has had to cancel all performances until at least January 24.

Its management said in a statement last week that the number of people taking refuge in the theater “continues to increase” and has risen to about 300 people.

“Sanitary conditions are deteriorating day after day and teams are facing this situation alone,” he said, urging local authorities to find a housing solution for the occupants.

“Although this occupation is forced, it is unthinkable that the Gaîté Lyrique expels these people onto the streets in the middle of winter,” the statement added.

Daily demonstrations have been held on the steps of the theater, known for hosting radical performances.

Conditions have worsened as more people have joined the occupation, without the support of local authorities, according to a statement from the theater management.

Conditions have worsened as more people have joined the occupation, without the support of local authorities, according to a statement from the theater management.

Images from inside the theater show people sleeping on tables in overcrowded conditions.

Images from inside the theater show people sleeping on tables in overcrowded conditions.

The number of immigrants occupying the theater has increased in recent weeks to around 300

The number of immigrants occupying the theater has increased in recent weeks to around 300

A small child is seen in a stroller as people seek shelter in the theater.

A small child is seen in a stroller as people seek shelter in the theater.

Isolated minor sitting in a chair and sleeping with his arms on a table during occupation

Isolated minor sitting in a chair and sleeping with his arms on a table during occupation

The 19th century building is owned by the city hall and is located in the third arrondissement of Paris.

The 19th century building is owned by the city hall and is located in the third arrondissement of Paris.

The Socialist-led Paris council, which owns the building, says it has sought accommodation for the migrants but there was none available.

He has called on the government to deal with the problem, but President Macron’s centrist cabinet is said to have ignored the request and is reluctant to get involved in the debacle.

The estimated cost of cancellations of public and private events is estimated at “several hundred thousand euros in direct losses,” a theater spokesperson said last month.

The theater’s revenue model, which is based 70 percent on ticket sales and 30 percent on subsidies, has collapsed.

Local businesses have also complained of losses due to the occupation.

The bistro next to the 19th century venue, a popular place for theatergoers to eat and drink before and after shows, has reported a €30,000 loss of income so far.

“They are ruining my business,” manager Elia, the daughter of Algerian immigrants, told the Times.

‘They are loitering outside my terrace, smoking joints and fighting among themselves. Not only do we no longer receive spectators because the theater is closed, but we also do not receive passers-by. All these young people are driving them away.

Dozens of immigrants, most from African countries, are seen in an area of ​​the Gaité Lyrique cultural center

Dozens of immigrants, most from African countries, in an area of ​​the Gaité Lyrique cultural center

People sleep under a table, on furniture and charge mobile phones during an occupation action at the Gaité Lyrique theater

People sleep under a table, on furniture and charge mobile phones during an occupation action at the Gaité Lyrique theater

All of the migrants claim to be under 18, meaning they would be considered unaccompanied minors and given the right to be housed and assisted by local authorities.

But local officials have insisted that they are adults and that most are known to authorities and had been sleeping on the streets before entering the theater.

“This is an illegal occupation of a building by recognized immigrants,” regional authorities stated in December.

The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville, the group that organized the occupation, called the age test “racist and expeditious.”

The protest group, named after the Paris park they previously occupied, described the occupation of the theater as a focal point of their “anti-racist and anti-colonial struggle.”

There have been daily demonstrations on the steps of the theater since the occupation began.

Videos show large crowds gathering at “general assemblies,” which begin with drums beating and chants blaring through megaphones as they block the entrance to the theater.

The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville holds a protest in front of the Paris town hall.

The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville holds a protest in front of the Paris town hall.

Videos show large crowds gathering at

Videos show large crowds gathering at “general assemblies,” which begin with drums beating and chants blaring through megaphones.

A demonstration in front of the Gaité Lyrique in support and to demand immediate accommodation for those occupying the theater.

A demonstration in front of the Gaité Lyrique in support and to demand immediate accommodation for those occupying the theater.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who took office in September, promised to crack down on illegal immigration when he took office in September.

“The French people want more order in the streets, order on the borders,” he said at the time, denouncing what he called “mass migration” to the country.

On November 1, France reinforced its borders with six of its Schengen member neighbors (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland) with greater controls.

The checks applied to travelers entering France via land, sea and air routes from the six countries and will last until April 1, 2025, but authorities have said they could be extended further.

A French government statement stated that the controls were introduced due to “serious threats to public policy, public order and internal security posed by high-level terrorist activities…criminal networks that facilitate irregular migration and smuggling, and migratory flows that run the risk of infiltration by radicalized people”. individuals’.

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