Suzanne Nemchek
Blog 5
9/28/12
Vigilantes
Burn Roma Camp in Marseille, France
A
group of about thirty Marseille residents ordered an entire camp of Roma people
to leave the area (BBC News). Police on
the scene reported only witnessing the Roma leaving without any evidence of
violence (BBC News). However, the camp
is pictured burned down. Reportedly, the
residents complained to Mayor Samia Ghali of the Roma, accusing them of recent
burglaries that took place in the area (BBC News). Residents reported having to take the matter
into their own hands after authorities claimed it would be several months
before they could intervene (BBC News).
As
someone who does not reside in France, it would seem that the residents are in
the wrong here. However, in the eyes of
French law, the Roma are the ones breaking the law. While simply entering the country is not
illegal, “they must have work or residency permits if they wish to stay longer
than three months” (BBC News).
Therefore, the Roma are illegally setting up camp because they do not
have permission from the government to do so.
Ideally, this should not be as serious of an issue as it is. After all, Earth does not have any borders,
only people do. The issue of immigration
is a rather unnecessary issue due to its little-to-none consequences. How do you suffer, as a residence of France,
from immigrants moving to your country?
Unless the immigrant personally attacks you, the answer is: you don’t. Many argue that jobs are in threat due to
scarcity. This may be true, but with the
many instances of immigration constantly occurring, won’t French residents be
leaving the country just as immigrants are entering? Therefore, immigrants may simply take the
place of those choosing to leave the country.
From my point of view, Earth is one residence in which we all reside and
should be free to move around it as we please.
BBC
News. “Vigilantes Burn Roma Camp in Marseille,
France”. 2012. Retrieved September 28,
2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19756468
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