solAIDarity

SolAIDarity

Last year people from the ATC went to Calais to help plan the No borders camp.  We worked with people from across Europe to plan, set up working groups, share resources and contacts, do training and organise logistics.  We have continued to have an association with the Calais Migrant Solidarity (CMS) campaign and this summer we will be collecting equipment from festivals and mobilisations to take across the channel, as well as to other places in France where migrants camp, such as Dunkerque.  We will also work with the Scottish Coal Action Network, Climate Camp and other grassroots groups.

In 2002 the Red Cross shut the camp at Sangatte due to political pressure from France and Britain.   Since then, repression against migrants in Calais has increased steadily, as has the continued attack against all those - NGO's, activists and locals - who offer humanitarian aid and protection.  Because of this we held a 'No Borders' camp in Calais in June 2009. Since then CMS has built on these links to challenge the destruction of several 'jungles', planned deportations and raise awareness in the media and on both sides of the channel about the realities of life for migrants. 

CMS aims to highlight the realities of the situation for migrants in Calais; to build links with the communities and support groups; to challenge the authorities on the ground, and protest against increased repression of migrants and local activists. Last year there were 2,000 migrants in Calais at any one time, now there are about 400, due to the extreme levels of repression. The French state, at the behest of the UKBA, is making it increasingly difficult to provide humanitarian aid to migrants in Calais, whilst at the same time increasing the level of violence towards the migrants.  This has steadily risen with the slow erosion of the 'jungles', and increasing deportations to war torn countries including Afghanistan and Iraq.  In our presence the police are much less likely to use assault, CS gas or their 'flash-balls' (plastic bullets)  and by documenting the destruction we are able to directly challenge repression and give the undocumented a voice.  There are NGO's providing basic humanitarian aid in the area, but what they lack is the political connections [This sounds like you mean networking with political people. Maybe 'political analysis' or 'political analysis and connections' is better?] that CMS is making through our work.  What is required is strategic alliances with organisations, locals, migrants and activists in the area to raise awareness.  The police routinely try to shut down any spaces we create for migrants, but we will continue to resist.

solAIDarity will provide practical solidarity to migrant groups by providing them with equipment to make new camps.  This especially important for the many unaccompanied minors from Afghanistan who are in Calais, who are particularly vulnerable and need support.

If you would like to get involved, either by suggesting your group as a recipient of 'tat', to nominate your services at festivals, storage, or vehicles, email:

solaidarityAThidinginthebushes.org.uk

also, we have a crabgrass group, facebook group, and an email list.
For more info, again, email the above address.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112654618759053
Crabgrass: https://we.riseup.net/cms+solaidarity