A leftist-run theater is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy after opening its doors to around 250 African migrants who have refused to leave the venue after staying there for five weeks. The Gaîté Lyrique theater in Paris, France, let in around 250 Africans on December 10, when it held a conference of pro-migrant academics and activists. When the conference ended, the migrants refused to leave, and the numbers are said to be steadily increasing, with over 300 now occupying the theater.
Since the theater can no longer operate and put on revenue-generating performances, the management has stated that the venue faces possible bankruptcy. Some have estimated that the theater has lost hundreds of thousands of euros in potential revenues.
“The sanitary conditions are deteriorating day after day, and the teams are facing this situation alone,” the management said. “Although this occupation is forced, it is unthinkable for the Gaîté Lyrique to throw these people out onto the street in the middle of winter,” they added.
Local businesses catering to theater-goers also say they have seen a massive fall in revenues, with one bistro claiming to have lost as much as 30,000 euros in business.
Far-left migrant advocacy groups have organized similar occupations in the past, but usually in public spaces like parks and squares.
France saw over 158,000 asylum applications last year as the country continues to struggle with large numbers of illegal arrivals. Many, however, do not remain in the country long, as their ultimate goal is to reach the United Kingdom by illegally crossing the English Channel.
HAHAHAHAHAHA. French liberal theatre called Gaîté Lyrique is facing bankruptcy after letting 250+ African migrants last month…. They still REFUSE to leave. pic.twitter.com/t7wWQwS5Bo
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 14, 2025