ATHENS, Greece \u2014 May 16, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A massive demonstration took place in the city centre on May 16, to fight the eviction of 400 people from the self-managed squatted community of Prosfygika in Ambelokipi on 101st day of unlimited hungerstrike of Aristoteles Chantzis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDemonstration for Victory and Dignity – Hunger Strike Until Death, For The Defense of Life\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On February 5, Aristotelis Chantzis, a resident and member of the Prosfygika Community, began a hunger strike which, he has stated, will continue if necessary to the point of death. May 15 marked the 100 day of his hunger strike. According to medical reports issued by his treating doctors, his health has severely deteriorated and his life is now at serious risk. On May 1st, a second resident and member of the Prosfygika community, Suzon Doppagne, also entered a hunger strike until death, standing side by side and in solidarity with Aristotelis Chantzis. Other community members have already declared their intention to participate in the hunger strike until death, for the defense of life, if the eviction plans are not cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the situation reaches a critical phase, masses of people from all social classes and ages in Athens took the streets on May 16 in support of Chantzis and in defense of the Community. 3.000 people gathered at 12:00 on syntagma square in Athens and walked through the city centre, to demonstrate loudly and visible the power, vitality and support of the struggle. This marks a temporary climax after months of protests, which will still go on. Support has spread across Greece and internationally, with actions in over 29 cities in countries including Mexico, Columbia, Turkey, the US, Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Serbia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Ireland. Under the hashtag #saveprosfygika, people are announcing weekly their intent to join solidarity hunger strikes in support of Chantzis\u2019 demands in defense of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary\/Top Lines<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hunger strike and related protests come in response to a plan by the regional government of Attica to evacuate and renovate the buildings of the neighborhood. The project implies the imminent eviction of the approximately four hundred residents of the Community who have lived there for decades with their families. The three main demands of the hungerstrike are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In June 2025, the Regional Government of Attica, to which the city of Athens belongs, approved a programmatic contract for the \u201crenovation\u201d and evacuation of the Community of Squatted Prosfygika. The planned renovation is to be funded by the European Commission at an estimated total cost of 15 million euros. Concrete proposals for the housing of hundreds of members of the Community, including children, patients and relatives from the adjacent oncology hospital and other highly vulnerable groups, have not followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite being branded as a social housing project, the contract has been widely criticized over this lack of proposal, raising increasing doubts over the wider gentrification process of the wider neighbourhood, and Greece\u2019s capital as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venetia, a resident from the neighborhood says that the community has no other chance than taking these steps to defend the lives of the 400 people living there. The demonstration shows that the society stands behind the community and the demands of the hungerstrike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chantzis says that he is aware of the serious health risks of the hunger strike, including the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest from the beginning. He also acknowledges that even if the strike succeeds, prolonged starvation can cause permanent damage to his body, especially to his nervous system, including during recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doppagne states that she proceeds to this hunger strike until death based on the collective decision as a Community to carry this struggle through to the end. With respect for life, and in defense of the Community, of its structures, its people, its relationships, of justice, and of our broader social proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quotes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, I am aware that I may experience health complications from the first days and throughout the strike, not so much from starvation but from cardiac arrest. I also know that even if the outcome is successful, chronic starvation can cause irreparable damage, mainly to my nervous system, even during the recovery period.\u201d (Aristotelis Chantzis)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I proceed to this hunger strike until death based on our collective decision as a Community to carry this struggle through to the end. With respect for life, and in defense of the Community, of its structures, its people, its relationships, of justice, and of our broader social proposal.” (Suzon Doppagne)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We have no other Chance than taking these steps to defend the lives of the 400 people living here. The demonstration shows that society stands behind us and the demands of the hungerstrike” (Venetia, resident)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We call all Journalists and Reporters to<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have questions or other ideas for common work please reach out to save-prosfygika-internationalist@systemli.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ATHENS, Greece \u2014 May 16, 2026 A massive demonstration took place in the city centre on May 16, to fight the eviction of 400 people from the self-managed squatted community of Prosfygika in Ambelokipi on 101st day of unlimited hungerstrike of Aristoteles Chantzis. \u201cDemonstration for Victory and Dignity – Hunger Strike Until Death, For The … <\/p>\n