JAKARTA - French police expelled more than 400 migrants living inside the Gaite Lyrique theater building in downtown Paris for more than three months.
Officers began their operations shortly before 6 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, at the theater building where hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest the expulsion.
Since December 10, migrants including many minors without companions have 'occupied' concert venues and art as part of their demands for protection, leading to Gaite Lyrique's management halting operations on December 17.
The large banner in Gaite Lyrique reads: "400 lives are threatened, 80 jobs are threatened." "Malu, shame, shame on the authorities who go to war with isolated minors," the demonstrators shouted in solidarity with migrants.
Demonstrators urged authorities to provide settlements rather than force them out.
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Police used tear gas at the start of their operation, but overall, the evacuation went without a major incident.
"Ada 46 orang yang ditangkap dan sembilan orang mengalami luka ringan, kata kepala polisi Paris Laurent Nunez kepada BFM TV.
"We have no place to go, we need shelter for a cold winter night. So we have no choice but to occupy Gaite Lyrique," said Dialo A Tungdou, who arrived in France in October 2024.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told France Inter radio on Tuesday the emptying had to be carried out, and emergency housing had been offered to migrants.
"At this stage, this is what must be done because the situation becomes complicated, tense, and dangerous inside," he said.
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