Since Tuesday, September 19, a nursery school in the 7th arrondissement of Paris has been occupied by around twenty migrants from Guinea. Most of the individuals housed claim to be minors and aspire to receive an education.
After housing Ukrainian refugees for several months, the premises of a nursery school in the 7th arrondissement have been reoccupied, as evidenced by the food present at the entrance of the establishment. Further inside, the contrast is striking.
Next to the children’s drawings still present, there are foldable beds on which 25 migrants who arrived on Tuesday evening sleep. Informed one hour before their arrival by the City of Paris, Rachida Dati, mayor of the 7th arrondissement, denounces poor reception conditions.
“There are no sanitary facilities or amenities. The emergency exits do not work. There is therefore a serious risk of danger, particularly in the event of a fire. This is not a space suitable for the reception of people during the day or night,” reported Rachida Dati in an email to the secretary general of the City of Paris.
No showers, only sinks and toilets for young children. However, these facilities do not bother a 16-year-old Guinean youth who was interviewed by CNEWS: “Yes, in any case, we are here, we are given food, we sleep well.” Like this individual, most of the individuals housed claim to be minors, coming from Guinea, and aspire to receive an education.
“I want to study, especially have a good education,” reported one of the adolescents. The presence of these migrants, which is supposed to be temporary, divides the local residents. “I don’t like the fact that things were not said from the beginning,” reported a resident of the neighborhood.
“Of course, I am in favor of welcoming migrants, but having the window open like this is not normal, having the lights on all day long is not normal,” adds another resident. Taken care of by the association France Terre d’Asile, these migrants must undergo medical tests to determine their age before being redirected.
