Calais on riot alert
- 23 June 2009 10:3224313Have just seen this post on Ferries of Northern Europe:
Calais on riot alert as protesters flood town in bid to end border controls
By Peter Allen
Last updated at 1:08 AM on 23rd June 2009
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new
Calais was a town under siege yesterday as hundreds of protesters arrived to
demand an end to border controls between France and Britain.
Riot police were on alert in the streets after intelligence reports raised fears
of widespread violence.
Local authorities banned the sale or possession of any item with the potential
to be used as a weapon - including bottles of gas and petrol.
Up to 2,000 police officers are expected to patrol the town.
Siege fears: A protester paints placards yesterday as hundreds more arrived and
threatened to destroy the fences preventing illegal immigrants coming to Britain
Protestors - including many from Britain - have pledged to destroy the barbed
wire fences and other security measures preventing illegal migrants getting
across the Channel to England.
There have also been threats to burn `symbols of capitalism' including local
government offices, and even hotels run by prominent global chains.
There are currently some 2,000 migrants living rough in the Calais area,
including many in shanty towns next to the ferry port.
A group calling itself `No Borders' has advertised a `Freedom of Movement' camp
which will start tomorrow.
More...Record 220,000 migrants to get British passports this year
Cost of keeping failed asylum seekers has soared from £4m to £73m in just FOUR
years, minister admits
It is calling on protestors from all European countries to join them in `tearing
down borders.'
The group is a mainly Internet based loose network of organisations and
individuals in Britain and Europe which advocates freedom of movement and
equality for all. T
he network says it operates on 'an anti-authoritarian basis to struggle in
solidarity with migrants to work towards a world without borders, capitalism or
the state.'
Speaking of his concerns, local prefect Pierre de Bosquet said no less than
2,000 CRS riot officers would be `in the vicinity' of the town, along with a
squadron of mounted officers.
Mr De Bosquet said: `As a precaution, I've also obtained a prefect's order
allowing for a week-long ban on the sale, transport and carrying of any material
which can be used as a weapon, or present a risk to anyone.
`The sale of petrol and bottles of gas will also specifically be banned.'
Mr De Bosquet said police intelligence had revealed plans for wide scale
violence.
`We've intercepted messages from organisers calling on people to turn up with
protective clothing but also with tear gas bombs,' he said.
Last month Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, said the UK's lax asylum
system and benefits culture had `imposed' thousands of illegal migrants on her
town.
In a blistering attack in which she also called for millions in compensation,
Mrs Bouchart said the UK was entirely to blame for the those who use the port as
a staging point.
Mrs Bouchart, a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP Party, even
called for border controls to be lifted to allow all migrants to flood across
the Channel at the earliest opportunity.
Such views are heartily supported by the militants organising the `No Border'
demonstrations, which are set to run between June 23 and 29. - 23 June 2009 11:5324315Ed that explains the large numbers of CRS vehicles along diesel alley in Calais last night carrying mobile spotlights etc, also units of the French army on the motorway rest areas coming from Paris. It looks like if it kicks off it will get very bloody.beer the food of the gods
- 23 June 2009 12:3724316Wow, sounds as though it could be a bit dramatic.
Link in article was wrong, correct one below:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1194767/Calais-riot-alert-protesters-flood-town-bid-end-border-controls.html - 23 June 2009 15:3224319No sign of any problems in the port yet although the CRS were a bit more in evidence than usual.Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!! - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
23 June 2009 15:4324320maybe we should send two companys of gurkas and a detatchment of commdos to lend a hand.maybe giving a word or two in there shell like lugholes [ears to you]. - 23 June 2009 16:5824326I heard about the potential for trouble early Saturday morning and it sounded quite scary.
I think the French are right that this immigration problem is our own fault - the immigrants think our streets are paved with gold; we English (at least the majority) think the streets are paved with gold for immigrants.
There needs to be much more publicity about what they are likely to get here and make it plain in no uncertain terms; then we may get some sense of proportion and a reduction of people dying (in some cases literally) to get here.
I understand these people are "anarchists" grouped under a "no borders" campaign; if they are anarchists, they won't believe in passports then ?? if that's the case, the British ones wouldn't get to France !!
Roger - 23 June 2009 18:1024336The view in France is that we are a soft touch. In fact that is the view just about everywhere except in the mind of a few British liberals. In effect we have created this problem which Calais has to suffer.
If these people dare to call themselves asylum seekers that is outrageous - France is a safe country. We should take in those whom we need, no more and no less. That is what every other advanced country does - we do not have to keep paying dues for ever and a day just because we once had an Empire.
And I sense the tide is turning very fast in this debate - it had to. Sanity must prevail sooner or later. - 23 June 2009 19:0024337i fully agree with his worshipful the lady mayor of calais.
we have created this problem ourselves, mind you the stout burghers of calais have caused our haulage industry and tourists much grief in return. - 23 June 2009 19:3424340Tax benefits system needs an urgent review but not just in the case of immagrants we may or may npot agree with, but also our UK residents.
Many of our own also abuse the system.
review now please - Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
23 June 2009 19:3524341France has its own issues with migrants from its former colonies, particularly in the south of the country, that is why they are happy to do as little as they can get away with when "stopping" people wishing to come here"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
23 June 2009 19:4224342if the french dont want them there on there soil as cailis mayour has stated ,why dont they gather all up and return them back to there country of origin themselves. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
23 June 2009 19:5424344had a chat with a nieghbour who is a imigration officer who works in dunkirk,he was saying there was a small skirmish with the police/protesters last night. - 23 June 2009 21:5424354Brian,
Does he reckon theres more to come?
cant see French leaving things as they are - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
24 June 2009 07:2824365kieth,quite possablely.i have seen them myself as i was been driven up to belgium you cant help tripping over them.you can allso see them walking to and fro on the main moterway between calias and dunkirk at all times day and night. - 24 June 2009 08:1324368Brian the reason the French cannot round them all up and send them home as you put it, is because they are hampered by the same laws and human rights that we have here. You cant just round them all up, put them on a boat, and send them to Libya or some such place. First of all the Libyans and their equivalent wouldnt want them...they would be eternally at sea.email: dover7@msn.com
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
24 June 2009 10:4624369when since has the freanch abided by those rules.as for boats and lybia no chance,get the freanch to do it as a exercise in diplomacy.