Roma at the Ring Road28

The situation of the 'itinerant' Roma and their way of life is a recurring theme in the French public debate. It is estimated that around 15,000 people currently live in informal settlements on the outskirts of cities. Roma are constantly discriminated against on the basis of their origin and way of life and are considered to be 'illegal'. Roma continue to be the subject of numerous transitional measures and policies to combat illegal camps. In 2013, a dozen Roma families found refuge on the Paris ring road. By visiting this community in their improvised slum, I have seen the difficulties they face on a daily basis. The lack of running water and the few hours of electricity supplied by the generator determine the rhythm of life in the camp. But here the families have dignity and they are together; they survive thanks to begging, reselling scrap metal or doing small jobs on the black market.