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The protestors, whom police said numbered about 1,000 but organisers said totalled double that figure, held up banners flaying the right-wing government of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"We will dance on the ashes of your detention centres," said one. Another read: "Immigration is a boon for France, all men merit respect."
About 2,000 policemen and security officials fanned out across the town to prevent violence and a helicopter surveyed the demonstrators from the air.
Ever since a Red Cross detention centre in Sangatte was closed in November 2002 after concerns it had become a base for illegal immigration into Britain, hundreds of illegal immigrants -- mainly Afghans, Eritreans, Iraqis and Somalis -- are living precariously in Calais.
"After the (peaceful) demonstration, how can the state justify the presence of 2,000 security officials and a helicopter hovering over Calais," said Meriem, a spokeswoman for the "No Border" group fighting for the rights of illegal immigrants and their right to freely move through Europe.
"The violence comes from the state," she said.
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"We will dance on the ashes of your detention centres," said one. Another read: "Immigration is a boon for France, all men merit respect."
About 2,000 policemen and security officials fanned out across the town to prevent violence and a helicopter surveyed the demonstrators from the air.
Ever since a Red Cross detention centre in Sangatte was closed in November 2002 after concerns it had become a base for illegal immigration into Britain, hundreds of illegal immigrants -- mainly Afghans, Eritreans, Iraqis and Somalis -- are living precariously in Calais.
"After the (peaceful) demonstration, how can the state justify the presence of 2,000 security officials and a helicopter hovering over Calais," said Meriem, a spokeswoman for the "No Border" group fighting for the rights of illegal immigrants and their right to freely move through Europe.
"The violence comes from the state," she said.
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