Athens Municipal Council on Wednesday called for a halt to reconstruction plans in the historic Prosfygika housing block. Mayor Haris Doukas also demanded the developers to put a “definitive end” to tensions with residents facing eviction under the original plan.
The Community of Occupied Prosfygika is a self-governing block housing over 400 people from 27 countries. The 16-year-old project runs a bakery, childcare, healthcare and other social programs, and is often cited among the most prominent examples of community-led urban democracy in Europe.
The municipal decision came two days after thousands marched in Athens in support of the community and its hunger-striking members, Aristotelis Chantzis and Suzon Doppagne. While both ended their hunger strikes after the vote, Chantzis remains hospitalized after 140 days without food. The Community cautioned the municipal concession marks only a milestone, and called for “international victory brigades” to come to Athens this summer to help consolidate its gains.
