French protesters build wall to block migrants from entering new shelter
PROTESTERS have built a wall in an attempt to stop migrants from using a shelter.
The French Government have been trying to redistribute migrants across France
A 59-feet long and six-feet tall wall has been constructed in front of a hotel, which is set to welcome 85 migrants.
The French government has sent migrants based in Paris and Calais to welcome centres across the country.
But residents of Semeac in the French Pyrenees constructed a barrier around the disused Formula 1 hotel as they believe that their small town will not be able to cope with the number of new arrivals.
The government’s decision, however, did not take into account the opinion of the citizens, so we decided to act
Resident Laurent Teixeira, said: “They accuse us of racism, but we are not against receiving them.
“The government’s decision, however, did not take into account the opinion of the citizens, so we decided to act.”
Mayor Geneviève Isson said the French government were unable to provide answers: “When we asked for explanations, no on answered.”
Locals in one French town have built a wall in front of one new shelter
The group have accused the authorities of not consulting the residents about the plan to change the former budget hotel into a migrant shelter.
Ms Isson said: “I am not a member of the group who did it, but I am in close contact with them because this is an issue that began months ago, after the government's announcement of wanting to relocate 85 migrants in the F1 hotel.”
The mayor claimed the national government did not ask the locals about they plan to have a welcome centre in the community.
Ms Isson said: “We are not against receiving them and I know that those people are not racists.
The locals in France think the government ignored their opinions when making the plan for the centre
“What citizens want is a confrontation with government representatives.
“We want a sustainable reception system for both Semeac residents and migrants.
“That structure is not suitable for accommodating 85 people, but when we asked for explanations, no one answered.”
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According to Eurostat, in 2015 France offered asylum to 20,630 migrants.
Last year, several French towns saw protests over the establishment of migrant shelters.