Faced with the wall that has been placed against them for months, the teachers of the Lezay-Manésia college in Strasbourg, who are demanding the shelter of eight of their students who sleep outside, have chosen civil disobedience. They brought 22 migrants, including 17 children, into their establishment so that they could spend the night from November 12 to 13, without approval from the authorities.
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Urgency to act. The teachers at the Lezay-Marnésia college in Strasbourg can no longer stand the denials and deaf ears in high places. For weeks they have been demanding shelter for eight of their students who sleep outside with their families.
Occupation of the college since last Friday, strike this Tuesday, November 12 but nothing helps. The two vacant accommodations located in the heart of the college and which belong to the European community of Alsace? They will be used for social purposes but to accommodate a public including the CEA in charge, unaccompanied minors or young adults being monitored. Point bar.
Nothing for “their” children. So, some teachers decided to ignore the authorities. They opened the premises of their establishment overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday to four migrant families, 5 adults and 17 children.
“They arrived around 7 p.m. says Lucas Moussa, segpa teacher (adapted general and vocational education section) at the college, For our part, there were a dozen teachers, and we brought them in after having informed the principal of the establishment.”
So that they can recharge their batteries for at least one night. A night in the shelter, sleeping in sleeping bags of course, but not on frozen or muddy ground, in the makeshift camp set up in Krimmeri square and which accommodates 300 migrants.
Improvised canteen at Lezay-Marnésia college for these children of migrants, who have been sleeping in tents for weeks or even months
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© Lucas Moussa
All together, they were able to offer a meal, around small tables for the children, and convert the CDI into a dormitory with unlimited books. “It's a teacher who prepared a mafé at home (typical West African dish, Editor’s note), for everyone and who then brought it to the premises.
Nothing better than sleeping in a permanent contract to recharge your batteries intellectually
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© Lucas Moussa
The diehard teachers decided to continue the occupation of the college. With families. “They thanked us a lot for what we were doing, we received many messages of support. Parents of students are also starting to get involved. If it comes to fruition, it would be decisive for us.”
Because obviously, spending nights at college and teaching during the day is tiring, even if for the moment, there are enough teachers to take turns. Not to mention the spontaneous help that comes, such as the provision of warm clothing and other basic necessities. A real chain of solidarity has been set up at Lezay-Marnésia college, and it is not about to break.
