France: The Struggle Intensifies in Mirail, Toulouse
Featured image: residents of Mirail neighborhood occupy the Atelier B. Source: La Cause du Peuple
In recent weeks, the proletarian neighborhood of Mirail in Toulouse has become an important point of struggle and resistance against anti-popular plans from the authorities.
On Tuesday March 23, Mirail residents occupied Atelier B in a move to protest the urban plans of displacement and attack against their neighborhood. This place is a significant space for the Mirail inhabitants. The occupation was a direct response to the city’s plans to erase the building and to the demolitions planned in the neighborhood. The occupation was organized by the People’s Committee for Mutual Aid and Solidarity (CPES) which lead around 50 residents to carry out the action. The occupiers demanded the end of the construction plans, demolitions and police violence. The statement issued by the CPES regarding the occupation also highlighted that this action is not only for the residents of Mirail in Toulouse, but for the millions of inhabitants in popular neighborhoods in France which are facing anti-popular plans by the authorities.
Repression is also protested by the residents. The murder of Bilal in January by the police has also sparked outrage among the residents, who protest this murder and demand truth and justice. La Cause du Peuple also reports constant harassment against the residents, including mothers with their children, who are insulted and face humiliating searches by the police. For example the police repressed without any justification a gathering in the neighborhood during the second day of Ramadan using tear gasses.
Just hours after the residents took a stand, repressive forces intervened and a first eviction attempt was rejected by the activists on Monday. The second attempt led to a violent expulsion of the occupants. La Cause du Peuple reports that ten individuals were placed in police custody during the operation. CPES organized a rally to protest such repressive response. It has also issued a statement which can be read here:
No matter if one occupation is evicted, the situation of the struggle and resistance in Mirail has intensified. Residents have come together to organize and mobilize, determined to resist further attempts to dismantle their neighborhood and the continuous harassment which they are facing. More and more residents express their commitment to struggling for their rights.
