Montpellier: A Look Back at the Evacuation of Buildings Occupied by Roma Families
In Montpellier, an evacuation operation took place after several Roma families occupied a new residential complex. These families, having fled their original neighborhood due to intolerable insecurity, settled in the vacant buildings of the Clos Lauzier residence. Supervised by the police, the evacuation allowed for the swift and uneventful clearing of the premises. The city is now committed to finding suitable rehousing solutions for these families in distress.
Context of the OccupationOn Monday, November 3rd, a group of families from the settled Roma community hastily left the La Paillade district in Montpellier. According to their accounts, the climate of insecurity there had become unbearable, threatening them daily. Seeking to protect their loved ones and live in a more stable environment, these families moved into the new Clos Lauzier residence, located on Avenue du Pont-Trinquat. Although the buildings were still officially unoccupied by their owners, their arrival did not go unnoticed.
Evacuation Procedure
On Tuesday, November 4, at 6:00 p.m., the national police, supported by riot police units, launched an operation to clear the two occupied buildings. In an orderly and non-violent manner, law enforcement surrounded the premises and, in just one hour, evacuated some 150 occupants. The nomadic families left peacefully, without encountering resistance or causing any damage. Effective coordination between the various police forces ensured the smooth execution of this delicate operation. City Reactions and CommitmentIn response to this critical situation, the City of Montpellier
expressed her willingness to find rehousing solutions for families who find themselves in a situation of imminent danger. However, she firmly emphasized the importance of respecting the law and legal procedures regarding housing. The dilemma facing the municipality combines, on the one hand, the urgent need to find a humanitarian response and, on the other hand, the imperative of maintaining public order and respecting the rules.
Similar incidents in Montpellier The evacuation of the Clos Lauzier residence is not an isolated event in Montpellier. Recently, the city has been the scene of numerous incidents requiring the rapid intervention of emergency services and the police. For example, a
fire in a shopping center
led to the evacuation of 400 people, and young police officers took bold steps to evacuate a senior citizens’ residence affected by the fire before the arrival of the firefighters ( source ). In addition, other recent events such as the spectacular fire that ravaged an abandoned villa and the serious accident on the departmental road have highlighted the urgency and effectiveness of rescue and security operations in the region (source,
source).