A SMALL but vocal group of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots marched through the streets of old Nicosia yesterday, calling for peace and a social revolution.
Around 100 people, members of the Occupy the Buffer Zone in Nicosia along with members of the public, marched along Ledra Street to Eleftheria Square and from there to the Paphos Gate, where their Turkish Cypriot counterparts were waiting on the Roccas bastion.
Popular chants included “only one solution, revolution”, “one Cyprus” and “armies out”.
“We want to live together,” was repeatedly chanted once the two set of marches met on either side of the barbed wire at Paphos Gate.
Increased numbers of policemen were stationed both at the Ledra Street checkpoint and the Paphos Gate, while minor scuffles between policemen and the demonstrators occurred outside the Greek embassy.
The activists had marched there to emphasise their message that the Greek forces – as well as Turkish troops - had to leave the island.
Meanwhile, the presence of an impromptu “we are all Greeks” rally at Eleftheria Square - similar to several rallies across Europe of people voicing their support for the Greek population during their present financial crisis – created some tension between the two groups of demonstrators.
Cool heads prevailed however and the march continued peacefully.
The participants’ numbers were surprisingly high, considering the recent diminishing numbers of activists occupying the buffer zone.
The numbers of the Occupy movement were notably reduced last month after a dispute between factions over the theoretical merits of post-anarchism and classical anarchism resulted in the die-hard anarchists walking out.
Peaceful activists have been occupying the buffer zone on Ledras Street since mid- November and have been calling for the re-unification of the island.
Neighbours have complained of pollution and on-going clamour originating from the activists’ camp, while the UN has condemned the activists’ use of abandoned buildings within the buffer zone.
Free lectures on anthropology, philosophy, languages and free tango lessons have been on offer by activists, whose non-violent nature has secured the tolerance of both the public and the UN.
