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The Migrants Saga – Third Chapter

“Look how cute they are, by the fountain, cooling off,” my mom said sarcastically when we spotted the six or seven police cars Place Royale.

“Enjoying a Journey to Nantes work of art on taxpayers’ dime,” I added.

We understood why the police parked on one of Nantes’ largest public squares a block further.

They were waiting for the protest—the migrants’ protest.

Cours des 50 otages, a handful of migrants as well as local supporters were protesting against yet another eviction. About 300 migrants who were Square Daviais—raided on July 23—had found shelter in a disused high school, lycée Leloup-Bouhier.

This high school was raided this morning and the migrants were kicked out, hence the protest. “We want a place to live,” said the signs in French.

The City of Nantes claims that there were “asbestos health concerns” in the high school. As if this was a priority at this stage…

Guess where those 300 migrants ended up?

That’s right, back in Square Daviais, along with those who didn’t leave.

We noticed the many new tents in the evening. Funny enough, no one seems to realize that the migrants aren’t going to rent their own loft in downtown Nantes.

This is the seventh eviction since November 2017. I’m ashamed of France.

Police cars waiting for the demonstration Place Royale
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
Migrants demonstration, Cours des 50 otages
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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