“We will not move!” is the rallying cry of the Nice “Don Quichotte” group, following the general assembly held yesterday in the early afternoon. This is despite national instructions to dismantle the camps, issued on Monday by the founder and creator of the movement, Augustin Legrand. Established on the beach along the Promenade des Anglais since December 31, the Nice movement continues its operation, just like other cities in France, such as Bordeaux.
Pascal Denis, one of the spokespersons and himself homeless, explains the reasons for this resistance: “We just received a press release early in the day announcing the creation of an enhanced action plan for the homeless.” He adds: “For us, it changes nothing. Our objective is that the government systematically revise the charter of the ‘Children of Don Quichotte’. And that is currently not the case.”
The man is angry. He has been on the streets for nine years now and sees no end in sight. His story is not extraordinary: a carpenter in 1997, his contract was not renewed. This was followed by unemployment, welfare benefits, and, with the cessation of these payments, the street. “I looked for work right away. But the employment agency only offered me physical jobs and at 50 years old, with 25 years in carpentry, my back is wrecked,” Pascal states laconically.
According to latest estimates, there are 100,000 in the same situation. “It’s for them that we fight. We will stay here as long as necessary and we won’t give up. Otherwise, it would mean that everything we’ve done so far was for nothing,” justifies the spokesperson. Their demands are simple: precise information from the competent authorities and decent housing that meets safety standards, all while having previously consulted the camp. Currently, no agreement has been put on the table, neither by the prefecture nor by the public health department, to rehouse the homeless. Only a plot of land in West Nice was proposed during a meeting last Friday with the Senator Mayor of the city of Nice, Jacques Peyrat. The collective’s response was a firm rejection. “It is out of the question that we accept to go to a vacant lot. There isn’t even sanitation facilities, nor access to a water point!” exclaims Pascal Denis vigorously. The 37 tents are thus not ready to leave.
If law enforcement were to intervene, the homeless would stand their ground. One of them says in passing: “If they come, they will not be disappointed. We are pacifists, we proclaim it loud and clear but we will not let them do as they please.”
The movement continues and the “Children of Don Quichotte” invite all those eager to advance their cause to participate in the two daily assemblies. According to the spokesperson: “All good ideas are welcome.” As for him, he now lives day by day. Toughened by years of street life and hardship, he still retains a real hope of one day reintegrating into society. And thus, resume a normal life.
