The Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas—together with the coalition Zachariadis—that the state, the region, and the squatters jointly decide on refugee issues.
The resolution of the City of Athens—which was approved by both the mayor’s faction and that of Kostas Zachariadis—calls for the Region to suspend implementation of the programmatic agreement in order to… halt the hunger strike by the “Prosfigika community.”
Who is this… “community”? The squatters in the Prosfigika neighborhood who, according to the mayor of Athens, must decide what will happen to the spaces they have occupied and are using, using vulnerable people and children—whose protection is the responsibility of the Regional Authority—as a shield.
This is what the mayor and his political faction believe should be done and that it is their right. Except that, following this line of reasoning, some people could—tomorrow or the day after—use some of our vulnerable fellow citizens to occupy Athens City Hall. They could enter the building and take over certain spaces to use them.
They could stay there, make use of the spaces, take care of them, and then demand to (co-)decide what will happen. How the City Hall spaces will be used and by whom, while giving the mayor the right to express his opinion as well.
Why not? What’s the difference? This could take place in any municipal building, whether it’s in use or not. To create a… community that has a voice and a role in current events.
Some will say that these positions are a sign of insensitivity. They’ll talk about a lack of empathy. They’ve done the same in other cases squatting in buildings—even privately owned ones—and they’ve done so regarding such incidents at universities as well. Except that’s not how things are. And for better or worse, there are relevant laws in place for this.
P.S. The reference to hunger strike by Aristotelis Hatzis and his health condition do not provide an excuse. Normally, those who claim to be compassionate would ask him not to risk his life by demanding an illegal decision. And such blackmailing dilemmas should not be posed.
