French leftist theatre faces bankruptcy after opening its doors to 250 African migrants for a free show… and they refused to leave and remain in the building five weeks later
A Paris theater known for its radical shows and exhibitions has been occupied by more than 250 African migrants after they were allowed in for a free event five weeks ago.
On December 10, the Gaîté Lyrique theater in Paris organized the conference, entitled Reinventing the Welcome for refugees in France.
It involved talks organized by academics from top universities and Red Cross officials, and welcomed activists among the migrants
But when the conference ended, the migrants, who came mainly from France’s former West African colonies, refused to leave the site.
The theater is still occupied, but is in danger of going bankrupt after weeks without income from ticket sales, and has had to cancel all performances until at least January 24.
Management said in a statement last week that the number of people seeking shelter at the theater “continues to increase” and has risen to about 300 people.
“Hygienic conditions are deteriorating day by day and the teams are faced with this situation alone,” while calling on local authorities to find a housing solution for the occupiers.
“Although this occupation is forced, it is unthinkable for the Gaîté Lyrique to throw these people onto the streets in the middle of winter,” the statement said.
Demonstrations are held daily on the steps of the theater, which is known for its radical performances
Conditions have deteriorated as more people have joined the occupation without support from local authorities, according to a statement from the theater management.
Photos from inside the theater show people sleeping on tables in cramped conditions
The number of migrants occupying the theater has risen to about 300 in recent weeks
A small child is seen in a buggy as people seek shelter in the theater
An isolated minor who sits on a chair and sleeps with his arms on a table during the occupation
The 19th-century building is owned by the city council and is located in the third arrondissement of Paris
The Socialist-led Paris council, which owns the building, claims it looked for housing for the migrants but none was available.
It has called on the government to tackle the problem, but President Macron’s centrist cabinet is said to have ignored the request and is reluctant to become involved in the debacle.
The estimated costs of canceling private and public events are estimated at “several hundreds of thousands of euros in direct losses,” a theater spokesperson said last month.
The theater’s revenue model – which is 70 percent based on ticket sales and 30 percent on subsidies – has collapsed.
Local businesses have also complained of losses due to the occupation.
The bistro next to the 19th century venue, a popular place for theatergoers to eat and drink before and after the show, has so far reported €30,000 in lost income.
“They are ruining my business,” manager Elia, herself the daughter of Algerian migrants, told The Times.
‘They hang out on my terrace, smoke joints and argue with each other. Not only do we no longer receive theater visitors because the theater is closed, but we also no longer receive passers-by. They’re being chased away by all those young men.’
Dozens of migrants, the majority of whom come from African countries, are seen in part of the Gaite Lyrique cultural centre
People sleep under a table, on furniture and charge mobile phones during an occupation action in the Gaite Lyrique theater
The migrants claim to be all under the age of 18, meaning they are considered unaccompanied minors and given the right to be housed and assisted by local authorities.
But local officials have insisted they are adults and that most are known to authorities and slept on the streets before entering the theater.
“This is an illegal occupation of a building by recognized migrants,” regional authorities said in December.
The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville, the group that organized the occupation, labeled the age test as ‘racist and inflammatory’.
Named after the Parisian park they previously occupied, the protest group described the theater occupation as a focal point of their “anti-racist and anti-colonial struggle.”
Since the beginning of the occupation, there have been daily demonstrations on the steps of the theater.
Video footage shows large crowds gathering at the ‘general meetings’, which begin with the beating of drums and shouting slogans through megaphones blocking access to the theater.
The Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville holds a protest outside Paris City Hall
Videos show large crowds gathering at the ‘general assemblies’, which begin with the beating of drums and shouting slogans through megaphones
A demonstration in front of the Gaite Lyrique in support of and to demand immediate accommodation for those occupying the theater
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who took over the role in September, vowed to crack down on illegal migration when he took over the role in September.
“The French people want more order, order on the streets, order at the borders,” he said at the time, denouncing what he called “mass migration” into the country.
On November 1, France reinforced its borders with six of its neighboring Schengen countries – Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland – with tightened controls.
The checks were applied to travelers entering France by land, sea and air routes from all six countries and will last until April 1, 2025 – but authorities have said they could be extended further.
A statement from the French government said the controls had been introduced due to “serious threats to public order, public order and internal security caused by high-level terrorist activities.” individuals’.