On Tuesday, French police carried out an eviction of over 400 migrants who had been occupying the Gaite Lyrique theatre in central Paris for a period exceeding three months.
Law enforcement officials initiated their operation just before 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) at the theatre, where a large crowd of demonstrators had assembled to voice their opposition to the eviction.
A prominent banner displayed at the Gaite Lyrique proclaimed: “400 lives at risk, 80 jobs under threat.”
Demonstrators gathered in front of the theatre, chanting, “Shame, shame, shame to authorities who are at war with isolated minors,” as they expressed solidarity with migrants. They called on local authorities to offer sustainable housing solutions instead of pushing them out.
The police initially deployed tear gas at the onset of their operation; however, the evacuation primarily unfolded without significant incidents or confrontations.
“In the face of harsh winter nights, we found ourselves without a place to seek refuge.” “We had no choice but to occupy the Gaite Lyrique,” stated Dialo Aimmedou, a 16-year-old who arrived in France in October 2024.
On Tuesday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo spoke to France Inter radio, emphasizing the necessity of the evacuation and confirming that emergency housing options had been extended to the migrants.
“At this juncture, taking this action was imperative as the circumstances were escalating into a complex, tense, and perilous situation,” she stated.
