The migrants, many of whom claim to be unaccompanied minors, had been squatting in the Gaîté Lyrique theatre since December 10, demanding shelter. Protesters outside the venue chanted "shame, shame" as riot police moved in, dispersing tear gas to clear the area.
Most of the migrants had attended a pro-refugee conference at the cultural center in December and had remained there ever since. However, critics argue that many of them are actually adults posing as minors to receive additional protections. The occupation also created problems for the theatre itself, which was forced to cease operations. More migrants joined the initial 250 who had taken up residence in the theater.
On December 17, management suspended all operations, citing deteriorating conditions that posed risks to staff, infrastructure, and the migrants themselves. A banner hung outside the venue on Tuesday read: "400 lives at risk, 80 jobs under threat."
Last month, the theatre's management issued a statement urging authorities to intervene and find alternative housing for the migrants, warning that the situation was becoming unsustainable.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed that 46 people were arrested, and nine individuals suffered minor injuries during the operation, which began just before 6 a.m. local time.
"At this stage, this was the thing to do because the situation was becoming complicated, tense, and dangerous inside," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on France Inter radio. She added that emergency housing had been offered to the migrants.
"We had no place to go, we were sleeping outside, and we needed a roof so that we don't have to spend the night outdoors," One of the migrants, Dialo Aimmedou from Guinea, said.. He claimed to be 16 and stated he had arrived in France last October.
