FEBRUARY 2024 IN CALAIS

DEATHS
On 04/02, Rojdar, a 34-year-old Iraqi man, died following a gunshot wound near the Loon plage camp. On 28/02, during a Channel crossing, a body was recovered lifeless off Cap Gris-Nez and two people are still being sought.

COMMEMOR’ACTION
It’s already been ten years since the Tarajal massacre, ten years during which the number of dead and missing has continued to rise. On 6 February, in Calais, nearly 300 people gathered in Richelieu Park to respond to the international call for mobilisations in memory of the dead and missing at the borders. The gathering turned into a wild demonstration. The anger was expressed in front of the town hall (at the same time as the town council meeting) and in the streets of the town centre with slogans, drums and smoke bombs. Migrate to live, not to die!

DETENTION CENTER (CRA)
On 10/02, a noise demo took place to send force to people imprisoned in Coquelles. Despite the speed of the action (5 minutes), the cops carried out an identity check. The following day, 11/02, a mattress caught fire in the basement of the CRA. A number of people were brought before a judge and two days later had to appear in court. On 17/02, around fifty people gathered at a solidarity ball organised to protest against the planned detention centre in Dunkirk.

SQUAT
Exactly two years after the occupation of the Fort-Nieulay tower, which ended with the intervention of a RAID helicopter, the building has been demolished. Four activists were arrested on the sidelines of a demonstration and fined heavily. A great support evening was held on 24/02.

FREE PALESTINE
Mobilisation continues in Calais. In addition to the weekly rally, a “march for peace” took place on 24/02 in the town centre and a screening of a documentary film recalled the terrible situation in Gaza for decades before October 2024.

FREE IBRAHIMA
Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese teenager, was sentenced by an all-white jury to 9 and a half years in prison for manslaughter and facilitating illegal entry into the UK. He was driving the dinghy that sank on 14 December 2022 in exchange for free passage. Ibrahima risks spending years in prison because of this racist and unfair border regime.