French Theater Faces Bankruptcy After Being Occupied by 300 Homeless Migrants

For over a month now, the Gaîté Lyrique Theater in Paris, France, has been taken over by a group of homeless migrants who needed a roof over their heads during winter.

The occupation of Gaîté Lyrique began on 10 December when the cultural venue hosted a free conference titled “Reinventing the Welcome for Refugees in France”.

Ironically, the 250 African migrants who attended the event refused to leave after it was over, and they were later joined by another 50 or so migrants who didn’t have anywhere else to hide from the cold Paris weather.

It’s been over a month since the Gaîté Lyrique was occupied, and management admits that it was forced to cancel all performances until at least January 24, which threatens to bankrupt it, as the institution relies on such performances for 70% of its income, with the other 30% coming from the state as subsidies.

'The sanitary conditions are deteriorating day after day and the teams are facing this situation alone,' it said as it called for the local authorities to find a housing solution for the occupiers.

'Although this occupation is forced, it is unthinkable for the Gaîté Lyrique to throw these people out onto the street in the middle of winter,' the statement added.

(Daily demonstrations have been held on the steps of the theatre, which is known for hosting radical performances)

(Conditions have become worse as more people have joined the occupation, without support from local authorities, according to a statement by the theatre's management)

(Pictures from inside the theatre show people sleeping on tables in cramped conditions)

(The number of migrants occupying the theatre has risen over recent weeks to around 300)

(A small child is seen in a buggy as people seek shelter in the theatre)

(An isolated minor sitting on a chair and sleeping with his arms on a table during the occupation)

(The 19th-century building is owned by the city council and located in Paris's third arrondissement)

Local businesses have also complained of losses due to the occupation.

The bistrot next to the 19th century venue, a popular spot for theatregoers to eat and drink before and after shows, has reported €30,000 in lost revenue so far.

'They are ruining my business,' the manager Elia, herself the daughter of Algerian migrants, told The Times.

(Dozens of migrants, the majority of whom are from African countries, are seen in an area of the Gaite Lyrique cultural centre)

(People sleep under a table, on pieces of furniture and charge cellphones during an occupation action in the Gaite Lyrique theatre)

The migrants all claim to be under age 18, meaning they would be considered unaccompanied minors and given the right to be housed and assisted by local authorities.

But local officials have insisted that they are adults and that most are known to the authorities and had been sleeping on the streets before entering the theatre.

Ref: French Theater Faces Bankruptcy After Being Occupied by 300 Homeless Migrants

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