Squatters end hunger strike in Greece

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Members of the Athens squat “Prosfigika” announced the end of the hunger strike of Aristotelis Hatzis and Suzon Doppanier. This was reported at the protest rally that took place on June 24.

The activists went on strike after Athens authorities launched plans to transform the squat into modern social housing in 2026. As part of this, anarchist:ok could be evicted from the houses they have occupied for decades.

As a result, the Athens Municipal Council passed a resolution calling on the Attica region to negotiate with the residents of Prosfigika. “We consider the struggle victorious, as a wave of resistance from below, which managed to form a broad and branched front against the policy of death,” said members of the community.

The resolution also suggested that the region and community “take a step back and immediately move to an institutional dialogue involving the municipality to find a common solution.”

Earlier, residents of “Prosfigika” also held a protest in solidarity with the activists who went on hunger strike. The organizers noted that Khatsis’s health had reached a critical and life-threatening point. The protesters demanded an end to judicial and police repression against the self-organized quarter.

Anarchist eviction:k

As part of the initiative, the Bauhaus-style facades will be preserved and the interiors will be completely modernized to provide subsidized apartments to low-income citizens and young couples struggling due to rising rents in Greece. The plan also includes public green space and a museum dedicated to the first generation of refugees.

Urban planners present this project as a positive use of public property to solve the modern housing crisis. At the same time, members of Prosfigika believe that the reconstruction carried out by the state could put many anarchists at risk of homelessness.

As part of the Save Prosfygika campaign, anarchists noted that they themselves were ready to modernize the buildings:

“We have already started a complete renovation of our shared kiosk, as well as carpentry work to replace windows, doors and other woodwork. Every repaired window, updated balcony, and restored façade strengthens the defense of self-determination in community life against gentrification, eviction, and government repression,” they said.

What is "Prosfigika"?

In 1933, a residential complex consisting of eight houses for refugees from Turkey was built in Athens. The complex includes a total of 228 apartments in eight buildings. The political life of Prosfigika began in 2008 after the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos.

Alexandros Grigoropoulos is a 15-year-old anarchist student. According to the official version, on the day of the murder, he and his friends celebrated his name day in the anarchist quarter of Athens - Exarchia.

The teenagers insulted the security forces, after which the latter started shooting. Sources do not agree on what exactly happened, but one of the bullets fired either accidentally or intentionally hit the teenager. He died from his injuries on the spot.

This was the beginning of mass protests by anarchists and other radical groups.

After 2008, the empty squat apartments began to be occupied by anarchists. Two years later they founded the open assembly ΣΥ.ΚΑ.ΠΡΟ (Community of Squatting Refugees) for self-organization of the community.

Now there are many structures organized in the squat, including a bakery, a mini-school, a women’s cafe, and a collective kitchen. About 300 people participate in the political life of the community.