Historical Athens squatting community saved from redevelopment after hunger strikes and popular campaign

~ Gabriel Fonten ~

The Prosfygika squatted community in Athens has declared victory in its struggle against redevelopment, publishing a statement on 25 June titled “The Struggle Has Won, The Struggle Continues!“. In the past months, the community has been under threat by a redevelopment plan pushed by regional governor N. Chardalias. However, under sustained local and international pressure, the Municipality of Athens on 24 June issued a resolution rebuking the plan, effectively cancelling the government’s push for gentrification. The resolution not only denied planning permission for the project, but also recognised the autonomy of the community and the right of residents to remain in their homes.

Throughout the last 140 days, mass protests have happened across Greece in support of the community, as well as solidarity demonstrations internationally. At the forefront of the struggle were the hunger strikes of Aristotelis Chantzis and Suzon Doppagne. After the decision to engage in hunger strikes was taken collectively, Chantzis went on hunger strike for 138 days before being admitted to hospital in critical condition. Now, both he and Doppagne (who begun her hunger strike on 1 May 2026) have finally called off their “hunger strikes till death”.

The community, which houses over 400 residents and has stood since the 1930s, represents a great success in horizontal organisation in spite of constant state threats. The community houses 22 self-organised structures for education, health, women’s self organisation, food, self defence, and technical works as well as providing housing for the people getting treatment at the nearby cancer clinic.

Though plans for redevelopment have now been cancelled, Prosfygika’s community has called on “the solidarity movement to remain vigilant”, both for any further plans by the government and the critical condition of the hunger strikers.