Hundreds of Migrants Camp Outside Paris City Hall Protesting Shelter Shortages

Since August 5, over 230 migrants, mainly women, children, and families, have camped outside Paris City Hall in a protest organized by the humanitarian group Utopia56 demanding emergency shelter amid worsening living conditions. The group criticizes the French government's increasingly aggressive expulsions following the 2024 Olympic Games and highlights a shortage of public services and volunteers, which has strained their ability to provide emergency accommodation. The migrants endure harsh conditions under tarpaulin sheets in rising heat, with many children present, including infants under three years old, and some migrants legally residing in France. Protesters have chanted slogans like “We want housing! Zero children on the streets!” while Utopia56 distributes meals and calls for a lasting solution. The humanitarian situation has worsened with incidents of violence, including an alleged assault where two men urinated on a pregnant homeless woman and her children, prompting police action and an arrest. Despite some shelter options provided by the city, Utopia56 insists these are insufficient and vows to maintain the protest until proper housing solutions are secured.