While the occupation of the Parisian cultural venue has lasted for three weeks, on Thursday January 2, a general assembly was held around the theme of police violence. Organized by the occupants and unaccompanied minors of the Parc de Belleville Youth Collective, this meeting allowed several speakers to testify on the subject.
These young people denounce the state violence that punctuates their daily lives, whether police, institutional or judicial. “Everything we experience in France is not normal. We can't go anywhere, we can only walk around and that's where we get attacked.” relates a delegate from the Belleville collective before handing over the floor.
Police custody, physical attacks…
At the microphone, three young men testify. They say that, most often, violence is preceded by identity or transport ticket checks or even visits to hospital for treatment. Gavey*, 16, says he was chased in the metro, at Denfert-Rochereau station. “The police broke my helmet, my backpack, pulled me and hit me from all sides,” he testifies. The teenager spent nearly 24 hours at the police station, where the blows continued to rain throughout the night, he assures.
Abdoulaye speaks of a violent and unjustified arrest. On December 18, after the demonstration for International Migrants Day, he was caught in front of the metro entrance and was accused of touching a police officer. “He handcuffed me, I was taken by force to the police station. I wanted to notify the Utopia 56 association, but they took my phone, my belongings and refused everything I asked,” he denounces.
His custody lasted 48 hours. He was only able to speak to a lawyer whom he did not know and whom he has never seen since. “I was handed a paper and told I had to sign it. I was also told to give my fingerprints if I didn't want to serve three years in prison.” he says, stunned. The paper in question, which we have consulted, reports an admission of guilt and a reminder of the law.
The police in France are violent and the justice system always has problems. Since I arrived a year ago, I still don't understand anything
The last testimony also begins in the metro, in Jaurès. According to the minor, controllers hit him and tried to search his bag as he was going down the stairs. “They didn’t even ask me my name. I refused the search, because they were not police officers, but the police arrived and took me into custody,” reports the latter.
« The police in France are violent and the justice system always has problems. Since I arrived a year ago, I still don’t understand anything,” whispers the teenager. Police violence committed against exiled people is documented by associations. In a report published by several of them, including Médecins du monde, some 450 cases of police violence against migrants living on the streets in Île-de-France are recorded. A figure that is largely underestimated, according to these associations, which denounce “systemic” practices.
Families of victims of police violence in support
State violence is not only suffered by undocumented young people. It’s a common fight, call external speakers. As representatives of the Truth and Justice committees for victims who died at the hands of the police, two mothers came to show their support.
Very moved, Amanda tells the story of Safyatou, Salif and Ilhan, her son. Aged 17, 13 and 14 respectively on April 13, 2023, the three children were hit on a scooter by the police in the 20th arrondissement, while leaving the mosque during Ramadan. Seriously injured, Ilhan was still taken into police custody.
The laws and our rights exist, but their respect and application follow racist biases
“The police are not only violent, they are racist. The laws and our rights exist, but their respect and application follow racist biases,” Amanda deplores in front of the assembly. And to advise the young people present not to stay alone in public spaces.
Lamine Dieng’s mother is also present. His son died on June 17, 2007 following a belly tackle during a police check. It reminds us of the importance of organizing ourselves, of having collective and autonomous initiatives. “It’s as if everything young black people did was criminalizable by the police,” she gets excited. The Truth and Justice Committee for Lamine Dieng has long established concrete and effective demands against police violence. Among them, the ban on the ventral tackle, the choke key, folding or defensive ball throwers (LBD).
Get informed and get together
During the discussions, several speakers took the floor to share concrete advice and propose initiatives. Members of the Anti-CRA assembly (administrative detention centers) of Île-de-France offer to host a workshop at Gaîté on the reflexes to have in the event of arrest and detention.
“In the CRAs, the police decide everything: the duration of visits, placement in solitary confinement, when to carry out searches,” explain the activists. These recall the deaths of Mohammed, a man of Egyptian origin in May 2023 at the CRA in Vincennes. Associations regularly denounce the conditions of detention in these centers in which deaths and suicides are increasing.
In practice, your rights are not respected, institutions act illegally
Lawyers from the Legal Team (collective of lawyers against repression) are also present to share their analyzes and provide some recommendations. “In practice, your rights are not respected, the institutions act illegally and do not consider you. But you still need to know your rights.” recommends Alexis Baudelin, lawyer at the Paris bar.
The latter insists on the importance of the presence of a lawyer during police custody. “The doctor is not always a friend, the lawyer can, however, take photos of your injuries, observe them, attend your exchanges with the police…“, he points out. His colleague warns against the judicial and psychological violence which follows police violence. “The IGPN will see you not as a victim, but as the perpetrator of an offense. You should not file a complaint against the police with too much hope. I advise making this decision with determination and the necessary support,” she insists.
Maintain collective living conditions
The occupation began on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. On certain days, gatherings take place in front of the Gaîté Lyrique at 6 p.m., followed by AGMs where the organization of daily life within the premises is discussed. Despite the collective's efforts, living conditions are difficult.
“We don't sleep normally, we don't eat normally, we don't wash normally… This is the first time I've stayed in an occupation. It’s starting to get tiring,” says Mohammed, 16 years old. “Life here with the others is a bit complicated. We're there all day so sometimes we get angry. Sometimes someone gets hurt because of tension. It's difficult”, confides Bouba, 17 years old.
The State and Paris City Hall do not respond to the demands of the occupiers. On the town hall side, the assistant in charge of emergency accommodation and the protection of refugees, Léa Filoche, explained to Mediapart that despite the numerous empty homes in Paris, “it is the State which has the power to open them to these people in need”.
We wanted housing, to go to school, to get papers. But in fact, we only manage to eat and sleep as best we can
Unaccompanied minors then encounter not only violence, but the inaction of institutions. Mohammed remembers all the meetings he was given in Île-de-France, which never came to fruition. These endless procedures exhaust him. “There are no solutions here in Paris. I think that in the countryside, it can be better, or in Lyon, Marseille…”, he envisions. Bouba deplores the inaction of Paris town hall. “Before, I was in front of the Town Hall, I slept on the banks of the Seine for four months. We wanted housing, to go to school, to get papers. But in fact, we only manage to eat and sleep as best we can.” he notes.
What the majority of young occupants are waiting for is to be officially recognized as a minor, to be “confirmed” to access their rights. “ Even confirmed, young people must know that the problems do not end, there are still many challenges. We are housed, but assigned to a building, mixed with those who have not been recognized as minors. We don't have the right to go out, to have our own money. There is no drinking water, not enough hot water for everyone. I was transferred because I wouldn't let it happen and I asked questions about these living conditions.” testifies a minor remotely, via a pre-recorded message broadcast during the gathering.
While the occupation has lasted for almost a month, Gaîté Lyrique closed the place to the public on December 17 and suspended its cultural programming. In press releases, management joins their demands and urges the City of Paris to find a rehousing solution for all the occupants.
Louise Sanchez-Copeaux
Photo : Dario Nadal
*All first names have been changed
