According to reports, the use of dangerous weaponry is becoming an option in terms of policing the refugees in Calais, France. Banksy, a world-famous street artist, has unveiled a new creation that attacks the practice.
Refugees are facing dangerous measures around Calais, a port in France that has been made into a refugee camp dubbed "The Jungle." In an effort to raise awareness about it, street artist Banksy made a piece opposite the French Embassy in London. The artwork shows the iconic illustration of a crying Cosette from Les Miserables. It shows that the tears are somewhat a reaction from being exposed to a cloud of CS gas.
This is not the first time that Banksy made a graphic commentary on the situation in Calais and the entire refugee crisis. This piece, in particular, takes a jab on the French government and how they handle the entire camp situation, especially on the use of public order weaponry against the refugees.
The police force, as well as the area officials, are mentioning the brash behavior of the refugees and its effect on the community.
"We are no longer dealing with nice migrants, but with troublemakers... Some lorries were attacked with iron bars," said Jean-Marc Puissesau, president of the Calais Port, in a report by The Independent.
In Banksy's first work on the matter, as reported by The Guardian, the artwork showed a QR code that can be scanned. The code is linked to a video posted in YouTube that shows concussion grenades being thrown into the camp, which is known to be on the outskirts of the Port au Calais.
Despite the video evidence pointed out by the artist, police spokesman Steve Barbet released a statement saying that there have been no such tactics.
"It's not in our interest to use teargas unless it's absolutely necessary to restore public order, and it is never used in the camp itself," said Barbet in an interview with The Guardian.
