In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, almost 20,000 individuals were reportedly forced from tent camps and shelters across the Paris region, according to Le Revers de la Médaille, a coalition of over 100 community groups. The organization labeled the displacements, occurring between April 2023 and September 2024, as "social cleansing" by authorities preparing the city for the influx of Olympic visitors. The report does note that some individuals faced multiple evictions and may have been counted more than once as a result.
The coalition contends there is clear evidence associating these displacements with Olympic preparations. Paul Alauzy, the coalition's spokesperson, stated that "there are images, internal government documents, and eviction orders explicitly referencing the Olympics as justification." Their report details a notable increase in eviction activities, with 260 operations, marking a 41% rise from the previous comparable period. More than 4,500 minors were among those affected by the enforced relocations.
French officials have not officially commented on the estimated figures provided by the group. Marc Guillaume, prefect for the Île-de-France region, previously insisted eviction rates had not surged due to the Olympics and emphasized that alternative housing solutions were offered. In August, President Emmanuel Macron pointed to a "social legacy for the Olympic Games," highlighting successful rehousing efforts for more than 200 individuals. The coalition now calls for reconsidering the Olympic hosting model to include permanent sites and sustainable practices to prevent future displacements. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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