Grenoble municipality faces tension over school occupations

Tensions have risen in Grenoble between the municipal government and activist collectives regarding the use of schools to house homeless families. For four years, the city and the ‘intercollectif des écoles occupées’ had maintained a working relationship to accommodate approximately 130 families and 330 children in school buildings.

Following a protest on August 31, the municipality faced criticism after reportedly threatening legal action against continued occupations. While the city later clarified that any legal steps would target administrative issues related to insurance rather than the families or the collectives themselves, the incident has strained the previous partnership. Activists have reported difficulties such as unreturned communications and the changing of locks without prior consultation.