Current:Home > InvestParis City Hall plaza draws holiday visitors and migrant families seeking shelter as Olympics nears -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Paris City Hall plaza draws holiday visitors and migrant families seeking shelter as Olympics nears
View
Date:2025-04-12 03:58:35
PARIS (AP) — The forecourt of Paris City Hall buzzes with activity this holiday season: Children spinning on a sparkling carousel, shoppers browsing a Christmas market, tourists posing in front of huge signs advertising the 2024 Olympics — and dozens of migrant families searching for a roof over their heads.
About 50 families with children between three months and 10 years old gathered on City Hall plaza on Christmas evening, to meet members of aid groups who distribute food, blankets and diapers and help find temporary lodging. A similar scene plays out most nights beneath the ornate facade of the Paris monument.
Some sat on pieces of cardboard with their suitcases. A toddler who arrived in socks was given shoes, and an older child was given a gift in shiny wrapping.
Many of the families are from French-speaking African countries, including Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Aicha, 20, is among those seeking shelter. She arrived in Paris from Mali in 2020 and gave birth to a baby boy, Ismael, last year.
“We sleep here outside or in the metro, but it’s not safe because there are thugs. It’s complicated, we have to negotiate, we have no solution. But it’s not just me, there are lots of families who sleep outside,” she told The Associated Press. She spoke on condition her full name not be published because she doesn’t have residency papers.
Zoe Lafargoutte, a member of migrant aid group Utopia 56, said they find space for about 20-40% of those in need every evening.
‘’We try to distribute tents and blankets so that they can sleep, even if it’s not ideal, or we direct them to hospitals, to places where they can spend the night in a bit of warmth,’’ she said.
Aid workers are concerned that Paris authorities will clear out migrants and others sleeping in the rough before next year’s Olympics without providing longer-term housing options. Olympics organizers say they are working with aid groups to find solutions for those in the streets, including the many people who come from around the world to Paris seeking refuge or employment.
Utopia 56 member Perine Rident says the Olympic Games can also draw attention to the broader problem.
“If you want to take the silver lining, is at least people are talking about it,” Rident said.
___
Angela Charlton contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration and Paris Olympics preparations at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
veryGood! (68646)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- At 99, this amazing Holocaust survivor and musician is still beating the drum for peace
- 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Porsha Williams files for divorce from Simon Guobadia
- Green Bay police officer fatally shoots person during exchange of gunfire
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- An Army helicopter crash in Alabama left 2 pilots with minor injuries
- 2 National Guard members killed in Mississippi helicopter crash during training flight
- Shop Madewell's Best-Sellers For Less With Up To 70% Off Fan-Favorite Finds
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Ellie Goulding and Husband Caspar Jopling Break Up After 4 Years of Marriage
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Howard University is making history as the first HBCU to take part in a figure skating competition
- Yale joins other top colleges in again requiring SAT scores, saying it will help poor applicants
- LeBron scores 30 points, Davis handles Wembanyama’s 5x5 effort in Lakers’ 123-118 win over Spurs
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Department of Defense says high-altitude balloon detected over Western U.S. is hobbyist balloon
- Federal judge grants injunction in Tennessee lawsuit against the NCAA which freezes NIL rules
- A collection of the insights Warren Buffett offered in his annual letter Saturday
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Yankees' Alex Verdugo responds to scorching comments from ex-Red Sox star Jonathan Papelbon
Military officials say small balloon spotted over Western U.S. poses no security risk
The 2004 SAG Awards Are a Necessary Dose of Nostalgia
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
The EU is watching Albania’s deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried
'Bluey' inspires WWE star Candice LeRae's outfit at 2024 Elimination Chamber in Australia
Tired of diesel fumes, these moms are pushing for electric school buses