Chants in support of the demands of the Occupied Refugee Housing Community of Alexandras Avenue have been echoing through Syntagma Square since Tuesday afternoon (23/06). Protesters gathered opposite the Greek Parliament in a show of solidarity with both the refugee housing community and the two hunger strikers, Aristotélis Chantzís and Suzon Doppagne, as demonstrators raised their voices in unison. Around 8:30 p.m., protesters moved onto the road and blocked traffic, bringing vehicle movement to a halt.
Aristotélis Chantzís: Hunger striker hospitalized with acute encephalopathy over refugee housing protest
The atmosphere in central Athens is charged, with the solidarity rally taking place at a moment when the health of the hunger strikers has reached a critical threshold. Specifically, Aristotélis Chantzís, who is now on his 139th day of hunger strike, presented this morning with acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy, with symptoms including double vision and ataxic gait, as well as serious electrolyte imbalances.
Due to the rapid deterioration of his condition, he was transferred yesterday shortly after 5:00 p.m. to Genimatas General Hospital, where he is being treated in the Second Internal Medicine Ward under the supervision of the team led by Director of Internal Medicine Dr. K. Mourgos. According to his treating physicians and solidarity supporters, his condition is critical and his weight has now dropped to just 35 kilograms. Meanwhile, Suzon Doppagne marks 54 days on hunger strike today.
The demands of the Alexandras Avenue refugee housing community
According to the call issued by the Occupied Refugee Housing Community, the struggle of the two hunger strikers and their supporters is directed against plans to evict residents from the historic refugee apartment blocks on Alexandras Avenue. The organizers describe a state-driven operation of gentrification and touristification of the area — one that treats housing as a commodity and a field for investment profit, threatening to displace hundreds of people.
As stated in the community’s announcement, the complex has been self-organized for 16 years, currently housing 22 structures with over 400 residents from 27 different nationalities. Among these structures, one stands out in particular: a shelter for patients and caregivers of the “Saint Savvas” anti-cancer hospital, established in cooperation with the hospital’s employees’ association.
“Either the demands will be met, or he will be led to his death”
Konstantína, a representative from the People’s Front, delivered an emotional statement to the camera of orangepress.gr, addressing the gravity of the situation and stressing that the community’s demands must be met immediately.
“We are here today in front of the Parliament, demonstrating, standing by hunger striker Aristotélis Chantzís, comrade hunger striker Suzon Doppagne, and the occupied refugee housing community. We are here today and we say clearly that the health condition of comrade Aristos is extremely critical. Aristos weighs thirty-five kilograms today. His condition is on the edge. He was transferred yesterday to Genimatas Hospital in a very serious state of physical deterioration,” she began.
“We say in the strongest terms that Hardalias and the Mitsotakis government have blood on their hands — and they will pay a very heavy price for it. They are mistaken if they think they can stop the great resistance of the refugee housing hunger strike. All the people, the entire movement, all of Greece — and the international community — stand beside Aristos, Suzon, and all the residents of the refugee housing complex. The demands of the refugee housing community are just and must be accepted immediately. Because what the refugee housing community shows us today is that another world exists — a world of equality and solidarity. And comrade Aristos, at this moment lying in his bed at Genimatas, holds his head high and says clearly: either the demands will be met, or he will be led to his death. Either we win, or we win. And we here today say the same thing. We are right and we will win. Stay strong, Aristos. Stay strong, Suzon. The demands of the occupied refugee housing community must be accepted immediately. United, we will win,” she concluded.
