Officers arrived at dawn, accompanying demolition crews, targeting tents in the southern part of the camp, which according to NGOs, has been inhabited by more than 1,000 migrants, and possibly as many as 3,000. The charity Doctors without Borders, said that between 500 and 1,000 people would disappear, rather than take up places at a recently constructed nearby camp, or facilities elsewhere in France.
Tear gas had begun! #ShameOnYouFrance #CalaisJungle pic.twitter.com/2j8Bh0uAf4
— London2Calais Convoy (@LDN2Calais) February 29, 2016
"Our concerns particularly remain with the 305 unaccompanied children who will be evicted from their living quarters without proper assessment, safeguarding or suitable alternative provisions," said the group Help Refugees.
As police gave a one hour warning to the inhabitants, 150 to 200 of them began to throw rocks and set fire to tents.
Armored police fired back with rubber bullets, and arrested a female activist from the anarchist group No Borders, who, they say, encouraged the migrants to riot. A water cannon was also turned against the protesters.
After tensions dissipated, council staff in orange jumpsuits proceeded to dissemble the shacks, which had been in place for a year.
AnarchistFed: RT jmsardo: #France #Update: Police uses tear gas as it starts to demolish #Calais migrants camp. pic.twitter.com/9o2glY77Dw Vi...
— SpokaneIWW (@SpokaneIWW) February 29, 2016
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