In Caen, International Migrants Day provides an opportunity for the struggles of undocumented people to converge. It's an important time to organize solidarity, in a context of rising far-right extremism. ---- On December 20, for International Migrants Day, Families in Distress and Revolt (FEDER) organized a march in Caen to raise awareness of the struggles of undocumented people and to voice their demands. ---- This day was also marked by an antifascist rally organized by Caen Antifa against the arrival of Jordan Bardella for a book signing. Following the rally, which was violently suppressed by the police, the participants joined the demonstration in support of Palestine.
This initial convergence led to the meeting point set by FEDER, where the women of the collective were greeted by a large crowd of supporters chanting "Solidarity with the exiles!"
This convergence of antifascist, internationalist, anticolonialist, and solidarity struggles continued with a joint march to the Caen prefecture, punctuated by stops and speeches from the exiles and their children. It was a powerful day of activism, brimming with energy and hope, demonstrating that the convergence of struggles is more than just a slogan.
Who are FEDER?
The FEDER collective was formed at the beginning of 2025 in response to the exclusion of undocumented people from a monthly subsistence allowance previously provided by the Calvados Departmental Council.
Composed primarily of women, the collective organized itself to address a situation of extreme hardship. During various public appearances, notably at the Forum des Luttes (a Caen event held on October 18th), they explained the difficulties even the impossibility of obtaining a residency permit, which blocks any prospect of employment, stable housing, and independence.
Deprived of any financial resources, the women of FEDER had to band together to organize solidarity and meet the basic needs of their families. As one of them put it: "Even buying a two-euro food basket from Secours Populaire isn't possible with nothing."
The collective regularly organizes collections, for example, of school supplies in August, in various locations (independent cinemas, community bars, etc.). Through their actions, the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) raises public awareness about the elimination of support programs for the most vulnerable and advocates for equal access to education, transportation, housing, culture, and leisure activities for their children. And they will continue to amplify their voices and those of their families![1]
In Ouistreham too, Sudanese exiles mobilized
Sudanese exiles living in the Ouistreham camp (10 minutes from Caen) have been highly active in recent months. On December 13, they organized a rally in Caen in support of the Sudanese people, in response to the ongoing massacres in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, in the Darfur region.
They were also present at the Forum of Struggles, where they shared their experiences, the reasons for their exile, and the political and military mechanisms that led to the current situation. They raised the alarm about the plight of the inhabitants of Darfur and the city of El Fasher, which is besieged, regularly attacked, and now in the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force originating from the Janjaweed militias, led by General Hemedti, and responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Faced with the media silence in France, they wanted to bring the crimes committed in their country to light. They also denounced the treatment they receive from the municipality of Ouistreham, and in particular from the xenophobic mayor, Romain Bail, who obtained their eviction from an unoccupied public building on July 18th[2].
The Sudanese exiles are supported daily by the Citizens in Struggle - Ouistreham collective, which assists them with their administrative procedures and provides them with food and other material support[3].
On March 14, rallies for the Solidarity March were held throughout France.
Photo library red/Alexandre
The Forum of Struggles: a space for dialogue and popular unity
The Forum of Struggles, held on October 18, was an important moment for meetings, exchanges, and raising awareness of the struggles waged by undocumented people and support groups.
Representatives from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Sudanese refugees, and residents of a squat in Cambremer spoke at a public conference entitled "Trajectories of Exile." The women presented their way of organizing themselves in a rural squat, a unique situation in a town of 1,300 inhabitants, 15 minutes from Lisieux. All are undocumented, without income or benefits.
Faced with the impossibility of accessing housing, they organized themselves within the association Solidarités exilé·es Lisieux Pays d'Auge (Solidarity with Exiles Lisieux Pays d'Auge) to live collectively with their families and about thirty other refugees. Since the beginning of October 2025, a temporary legal occupancy agreement has been in place with the owners, allowing them to remain on the premises and organize their daily lives. The events organized by the association serve, in particular, to raise funds to pay the building's expenses.
During the forum, they also shared their experiences of solidarity with the villagers, demonstrating that bonds can be forged even in rural settings[4].
Supporting the struggles of undocumented people
By highlighting the struggles of undocumented people, the Forum of Struggles contributes to strengthening the fight against racism. Through its participation, UCL Caen reaffirms its support for and commitment to undocumented people, and particularly to the actions of the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund), Sudanese exiles living in Ouistreham, and families in Cambremer.
Let's continue to support their demands: regularization for all, decent housing for everyone, and freedom of movement and settlement!
Marie and Val (UCL Caen)
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[1]To follow them: contact Feder_calvados@proton.me, or follow the Facebook pages of La Cimade Normandie and Coordination solidarité exilé·es 14.
[2]See the article "Ouistreham: Sudanese exiles homeless again," Alternative Libertaire no. 363, September 2025.
[3]Contact Citoyen.nesenlutte@gmail.com, or on Facebook and Instagram: Citoyen-nes en lutte - Ouistreham.
[4]To follow them, contact Solidaritesexileeslisieux@gmail.com, or on Facebook: Association solidarité exilé.e.s Lisieux.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Sans-papiers-A-Caen-et-a-Ouistreham-la-solidarite-s-organise
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Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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