Demonstration in Paris to support migrants against the coming anti-immigration bill

 

Thousands of people marched on Saturday 19 April 2023 in Paris against the immigration law brought by the French Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin. 

I was there with friends, and would rather report on it here, on my blog, rather than wait until I'm back at the newsroom.

Here is a short video clip I took:

In the French capital, demonstrators marched behind a banner proclaiming "No to the Darmanin law, against repression, imprisonment and deportations, for a welcoming migration policy", in a reference to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

The protesters also took aim at Operation Wuambushi (Take Back) being carried out by the authorities on the French Indian Ocean Island of Mayotte to send back illegal immigrants, most from neighbouring Comoros, currently housed in unsanitary shanty towns.

They also demonstrated to support proper healthcare for workers waiting for papers.

The controversial bill, entitled "Controlling immigration while improving integration", is aimed, among other things, at providing greater scope for deportation, especially for foreigners who commit crimes. 

It also stipulates a minimum level of French be required before a multi-year residence permit is granted and allows for mandatory fingerprinting as well as tightening requirements for the renewal of long-term permits.