In Montpellier,thirty-seven people, including fifteen children, are spending their fifth night in front of City Hall, having been evicted from a squat earlier this week. Gathered on the Georges Frêche square, they are being denied alternative housing and their tents are being dismantled by the authorities. Associations and teachers are mobilizing to denounce this situation, which they consider inhumane, and to call for swift action from the authorities to rehouse these vulnerable people.
A Fifth Night in the November Cold
This Friday evening in Montpellier, the families evicted from the Euromédecine squat on Monday, October 27, once again spent the night in front of City Hall in Port Marianne. Despite the low autumn temperatures, they continue to face this difficult situation, supported by associations that are providing them with blankets, food, and hot drinks. Unexpected Eviction and Lack of Rehousing
Following their eviction orchestrated by the Hérault prefecture, these families banded together to seek help. However, their efforts did not receive the expected attention. The forced removal of their tents by law enforcement is strongly criticized by the Snudi FO 34union, as well as by solidarity organizations. The lack of emergency accommodation and long-term solutions is highlighted, despite the imposed legal obligations.
Unanswered Calls and Overwhelmed 115 Hotline
Repeated requests to emergency accommodation services, such as the 115 hotline, have gone unanswered, pushing the despair of volunteers and relatives of the evicted families to its peak. Aïcha Beghaz, president of the Montpellier Humanitarian Association, expresses her dismay at this complete lack of solutions for these families in distress. Consequences Affecting SchoolchildrenAmong those evicted are children aged 4 to 17 who attend schools in Montpellier. Their schooling has been disrupted, which is causing concern among teachers and educational staff. The Snudi FO union in Hérault reiterates the urgent need to take action to ensure that these students’ education is not jeopardized by this unacceptable situation.
Solidarity Actions and Appeals to the State While solutions are still pending, solidarity initiatives continue, such as the planned demonstration this Saturday, November 1, 2025, in front of the Hérault prefecture. The City of Montpellier, although caught off guard by this unannounced eviction, has demonstrated its willingness to collaborate with associations to find temporary housing alternatives, even though a solution is not yet in sight. Historical Echoes with the Children of Don Quixote The memory of the actions of the Children of Don Quixote has resurfaced among some community organizations, concerned to see history repeating itself in a similar context. Their aim is to call on the authorities to take swift and effective action regarding the rehousing of these families before the situation deteriorates further.
For more information on the situation and other mobilizations in the region, consult the following resources:
Mobilizations in Montpellier
, Mobilization for the Heroes of the Street .