This leaflet was published in April 2012, by Occupy Buffer Zone, in Nicosia. It is the first response by the movement to the eviction of its squat by Greek Cypriot police forces, which occurred on the 6th of April, 2012.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OCCUPY BUFFER ZONE MOVEMENT

We are a multicultural movement in Cyprus that has started its protest parallel to the global occupy movement against the global injustice of neoliberalism and are demanding the demilitarisation and reunification of our island.

Since the 19th of November we have been occupying the area in the buffer zone that has been dividing our island for decades. We have been organising cultural events, artistic workshops and music and poetry evenings as well as an internet radio station in the abandoned building of the Ledra/Lockmaci buffer zone in the center of Nicosia.

On the night of the 6th of April, the Republic of Cyprus police force entered the building, used violence against peaceful protestors and made 29 arrests. Seven persons was injured, one of them serverely and carried to hospital. People gathered in solidarity and the police used voilence again to disperse them.

We condemn the violent stance of the police and demand the release of all the protestors who were arrested. We state that we are determined to continue our protest for peace and reunification of our island and call for the support of the people of Cyprus and the global occupy movement.