This online article was published by the Initiative against border violence on Facebook on 15/01/25.

WE WON'T GET USED TO DEATH

LOCALS AND MIGRANTS WE WILL LIVE TOGETHER

Demonstration 19.01.25 12:00pm Municipal Garden

The murder of the 24-year-old Pakistani migrant in the buffer zone is a horrific reminder of the murderous state policy on migration. The initial cover-up of the murder by the cops reveals the normalisation of violence against migrants and the depth of institutional racism. The migration strategy murders and covers up - now with bullets fired from behind.

The bullets of the border policies did not come out of nowhere. In recent years we have seen mass imprisonment of migrants in Pournara, push-backs at sea, racist pogroms in Chloraka and Limassol, entrapment of asylum seekers in the buffer zone, and the murder of 21-year-old Anis in Limassol during a raid by migration cops. These events are spikes among a heightened daily climate of repression and police violence. Anti-racists have been targetted by police and policing at our protests has become suffocating.

The state considers migrants expendable. Migrant workers occupy the most underpaid and dangerous roles of Cypriot society. This exploitation is the design of state policies not a hiccup. In times of crisis, such as today, there is an increase in deportations, pushbacks and the violence that accompanies them. Social racism only benefits the bosses who exploit us - locals and foreigners - and the state that represents them. We say no to the exploitation and dehumanization of migrants and stand shoulder to shoulder as a united working class.

We are demonstrating our rage at the murder of a 24-year-old migrant. We demand justice for his death. We have no trust in the state and the police who investigate themselves and try to cover up their actions. We demand to know the name of the murdered man and the name of the murderer.

We do not accept that we are “other” than migrants in Cyprus- we are neighbors, coworkers, and migrants ourselves. Our interests are common.

We stand against the violence of the migration policy. Locals and migrants together we respond with class solidarity, building relationships and common struggles. We cannot undo the murder that has been done.But we can ensure that we never again have murdered migrants. We must demand it.

STOP THE WAR ON MIGRANTS

JUSTICE FOR THE MURDERED 24-YEAR-OLD PAKISTANI MAN

SOLIDARITY SMASHES BORDERS - PAPERS FOR THE MIGRANTS

We call on groups and individuals to support the call or make their own for Sunday's demonstration.