Migrants hundreds of Calaisiens will travel to Paris to tell their trouble – Corse-Matin

By Benjamin Massot

Calais (AFP) – “The last time there was so much of Calais to Paris, it was for the final of the Coupe de France “. Like the restaurateur Pierre Nouchi 500 Calaisiens, many traders who feel a heavy toll on migratory crisis will travel Monday near the Elysee.

The images taken of trucks of assault by migrants or clashes in the “Jungle” terribly damaged the image of this city of 72,000 inhabitants that owes its fortune and misfortune to proximity to the English coast.

Ten million passengers a year through its port, but it also attracts illegal dreaming to cross the Strait.

“There is a willingness on our part to say that media, especially English, have murdered us, we must restore the image and say that happens nothing to Calais. Certainly, there is a slum next door to us but the State has taken hold of it and About time! “says Nouchi, president of the Union of trades and hospitality industries (UMIH) of Calais, which figure to” 30 to 40% “declining revenue from businesses that it represents.

in fact, when one walks the streets of the city center and around the parade ground, it does not distinguish between migrants, the notorious “Jungle”, the dismantling under coercion began on Monday, falling to a good hour’s walk away. But we do not cross over more Belgians and Britons, those who were accustomed to shopping in Calais or stop for them to make merry on the road from the Opal Coast.

“for 20 years, a resident of Kent had every six weeks have their hair done here and she came with her friends, but with all the images on television, it was more” lately, sorry Frédérique, who holds a salon . Barber on the main thoroughfare

the clash of images has taken effect: according to Frédéric Van Gansbeke, baker and chairman of the corporate group and commerce of Calais, which represents 700 companies, “a competition of departmental swimming had to be canceled because parents refused to allow their children to come swim in Calais “. “It is amazing,” he plague

-. “A little air” –

Monday, with the slogan “My port is beautiful, my city is beautiful “this will be ten cars leaving from Calais or 500 people for a rally near the Elysee Palace in Paris.

According to Van Gansbeke, spokesman of the rally, a delegation of five must be received by the finance minister Michel Sapin, a close associate of François Hollande and another of Jean-Marc Ayrault ( Foreign Affairs, in charge of tourism).

The trip comes three days after that of the mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart (LR), received by President of the Republic. “I’m doing it from economic difficulties of our country, many of them are consequences of the migration crisis,” said Ms. Bouchart, who often regretted to see his city transformed “by extremists playground” during demonstrations of extreme left or extreme right.

Calaisis the business community welcomed the announcement Friday of the commissioning, March 29, the rail motorway to the weight -lourds between Calais and Le Boulou (Pyrénées-Orientales) and making the study of a device for a deferral of taxes or a deletion in some cases.

But the delegation also wants to seek “the establishment of a free trade zone across the Calais” and “a great tourism recovery plan,” according to Van Gansbeke. “We expect ads that will give us some air to survive a little longer,” said Mr. Nouchi.