Protest to Call for "No Borders"
Dan Clore
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8121595.stm
Protest to call for 'no borders'
Activists campaigning for the abolition of migration controls are
holding a demonstration march in Calais.
The organisers, mainly from the UK, France and Belgium, are holding a
week-long protest camp in Calais and hope up to 2,000 people will march.
The No Border Camp told the BBC about 500 people were staying there so
far, including campaigners, migrant support groups and migrants living
in the area.
Police have arrested some activists in the town but have not entered the
camp.
Alex Clarke, 30, from London, said a group of several hundred people had
walked from the camp and were gathering in Calais before setting off on
a demonstration march through the town.
'Hyped-up stories'
She told the BBC there was a heavy police presence but "for now it's a
really good atmosphere".
She added: "We're just hoping for a safe demonstration really. There's
been a lot of hyped-up stories about us trying to rip down the border.
"A broad section of people are here and what they are calling for is a
freedom of movement, but that doesn't equate to tearing down the border."
Protesters had complained of heavy-handed policing which they said had
gradually increased since the camp event began on 23 June.
They said there were helicopters circling overhead, and some 1,500 armed
officers were patrolling the town and the area around the authorised
camp - in a park outside Calais - and manning several checkpoints.
A Calais police official told the BBC a helicopter was flying over the
camp. He said he "couldn't say" how many officers had been deployed but
confirmed they were carrying shields, batons and guns, plus tear gas.
The campaign group said the camp was non-violent and have vehemently
denied some press reports suggesting they intended to storm the Channel
Tunnel on Saturday to help migrants waiting to reach Britain enter the
country.
'Freedom of movement'
The No Border Camp - one of several to have been organised around the
world - was aiming to highlight the plight of migrants living in
"refugee camp" conditions in Calais, said campaigner Sam Davies.
Organised by a broad coalition - including the UK No Borders network -
it also calls for the freedom of movement for all, with the abolition of
borders and all immigration controls.
There are estimated to be about 1,000 migrants in makeshift camps, known
as "the jungle", in Calais.
Most - from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Eritrea - are
hoping to enter Britain, sometimes by smuggling themselves into lorries.
The camps began to appear after France closed the Sangatte Red Cross
refugee centre in 2002.
--
Dan Clore
My collected fiction: _The Unspeakable and Others_
(Wait for the new edition: http://hplmythos.com/ )
Lord We�rdgliffe & Necronomicon Page:
http://tinyurl.com/292yz9
News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo
Skipper: Professor, will you tell these people who is
in charge on this island?
Professor: Why, no one.
Skipper: No one?
Thurston Howell III: No one? Good heavens, this is anarchy!
-- _Gilligan's Island_, episode #6, "President Gilligan"