
Management of La Gaîté Lyrique theatre in Paris have said that sanitary conditions inside are deteriorating, with its staff struggling to handle the situation
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Paris theatre occupation: Refugees call for requisition of empty buildings
Hundreds of homeless migrants under the banner Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville took residence in La Gaîté Lyrique theatre on 10 December.
A group of more than 300 homeless migrants occupying La Gaîté Lyrique theatre in Paris are demanding housing in empty buildings as the theatre’s management warns that sanitary conditions inside the venue are “worsening by the day”.
The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville took residence in La Gaîté Lyrique theatre on 10 December, after the venue, known for presenting politically left-leaning shows, hosted a free conference called ‘Reinventing the welcome for refugees in France’.
After hearing talks by academics and senior Red Cross officials, the group refused to leave.
Since then, they have held regular protests and rallies outside the venue, distributing flyers that call upon the French government and Paris City Council to requisition empty buildings for housing.
“The state insists on denying our existence and on pursuing an increasingly racist and repressive policy of non-reception. We refuse to let it go while thousands of buildings are empty in the heart of Paris,” read one of the group’s flyers.
In a statement, the building’s management said that while it “regrets the sudden, spontaneous nature of this occupation”, it also “recognises the legitimacy of the collective’s appeal to find housing for these individuals”.
Worsening conditions
The theatre has also been critical of the authorities for failing to find a solution.
“A month of occupation and there is still no substantive housing proposal from the government or the City of Paris to provide refuge for the people occupying La Gaîté Lyrique,” they said.
“As the number of young people sleeping at La Gaîté Lyrique continues to rise, the sanitary conditions are worsening by the day and the staff has been left to handle the situation without any assistance.
“While the occupation was thrust upon La Gaîté Lyrique, it is out of the question to put these people out on the street in the middle of winter.”
The venue is known for its work supporting vulnerable individuals through its Factory of Our Times project, which helps secure housing, food, and employment solutions for those in need.
The venue explained in a statement, “Every week, hundreds of people come here to receive food aid, take part in community-building activities, and contribute to the greater good. The institution is not, however, designed or equipped to serve as accommodation on this scale.
“[Hundreds of] people, including many young people and vulnerable individuals, are sleeping in one of Paris’s largest cultural institutions, posing major organisational and logistical challenges for a facility ill-suited to provide this emergency lodging.”
All the events at the venue scheduled up to 24 January have been cancelled or moved to partner facilities, with The Times reporting that the venue faces bankruptcy due to a lack of income from ticket sales.
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