Short Summary
By their own standards the governments are the largest gangs involved in the trafficking of people against their will into dangerous and deadly circumstances. Recently, France deported one man to Afganistan who had not lived there since being orphaned at age four, who has no family, friends or any other connections to the country, and who suffers from mental health problems. This was also despite him having an appeal in the administrative court of Lille which was his last chance to stay the deportation. This is just one case of forced removal of which there were more than 1,700 from Calais in 2014, and of which they have vowed to do many more. We urgently have to find new ways to resist and stop these deportations, particularly as they start now by targeting the most vulnerable people first.
The people camped in Calais need homes, education, medical care and jobs. We can't provide them. But in the meantime, we can offer aid and solidarity.
What We Need
We're taking a convoy to Calais with much needed goods from Manchester at the end of October, before winter sets in. We will need money for petrol, and the rest will be spend on food, sanitary products and warm clothing to take with us.
The Impact
The people in Calais have been demonised by the press and slandered by our government. Their numbers have swelled to crisis point this year due to severe unrest in particularly Syria and Eritrea. Returning is not an option. Our governments would prefer to put up fences than help people who have travelled half a world to escape and make a better life. They are people, and we need to show them they are not alone. If the government won't let them in, we need to make sure they are looked after. There are organisations working on the ground to distribute goods, but more are always needed.
100% OF THE FUNDS DONATED WILL GO TO HELPING THE MIGRANTS IN CALAIS. If we get more than our convey can take, all surplus funds will go to Calais Migrant Solidarity-https://calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com/d...
Other Ways You Can Help
If this gets big, we need more drivers. If you have your own transport and a spare few days in October, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU. Email manchestermigrantsolidarity@gmail.com.
Donations are also extremely welcome. Calais Migrant Solidarity lists the following as most needed items-
* Tents, tarps and sleeping bags-PLEASE make sure that tents are complete and unbroken;
* Clothes, warm jackets, and waterproofs - particularly as winter is approaching.
* Bikes, bike trailers and bike repair stuff – are always needed and really useful for people to stay mobile and get around;
* Pots, pans, utensils, plates, cups, cutlery – for people in the camp;
* First Aid supplies – difficult to have access;
* Books, dictionaries, texts, zines etc – in any and all languages. Especially, English, French, Italian, Arabic, Pashto, Farsi, Tigrinya, Amharic and Greek;
* Games & music making – card games, board games, footballs, basketballs, and any instruments etc;
*Food - Rice, beans, tinned food, spices, sugar, salt.
