[VIDEO] They thought he would give up, but they underestimated a believer defending an idea
At the Prosfygika community of Squats in Athens, Greece, over 400 people face the constant threat of eviction. Since February 5, 2026, Aristotelis Chatzis, and since May 1, Suzon Doppagne, have been on a hunger strike to the death, with a demand that transcends anything personal: for a neighborhood to remain alive."
Yesterday, Aristotelis Chantzis, currently on his 140th day of a hunger strike, suffered a rapid deterioration in his health. He presented with acute Wernicke's encephalopathy, exhibiting symptoms of double vision and an unsteady (ataxic) gait, alongside severe electrolyte imbalances. He was rushed to the "Gennimatas" Hospital shortly after 17:00, where he is now hospitalized. Treating physicians and solidarity activists state that his condition is at a critical threshold, with his body weight having dropped to 35 kilograms. Meanwhile, Suzon Doppagne marks her 55th day on a hunger strike.
"A call for a solidarity gathering has been issued for Wednesday, 24/6 at 12:00 at Gennimatas Hospital, followed by a protest at Syntagma Square at 19:00 on the same day."
According to the Community of Occupied Prosfygika, the struggle is directed against government plans to evict the historic refugee apartment buildings. Organizers characterize the state's plan as an operation of "gentrification" and commercial tourism development that treats housing as a commodity and a field for corporate investment profit, threatening to displace hundreds of people.
The complex has operated as a self-organized community for 16 years. Today, it hosts 22 social structures and houses over 400 residents of 27 different nationalities. Notably, its initiatives include a Hospitality Structure for cancer patients and their caretakers treating at the neighboring "Agios Savvas" Oncology Hospital, which was established in cooperation with the hospital's workers' union.
Moreover, as the Community of Occupied Prosfygika of Alexandras Avenue state: "The hunger strike to the death of our two comrades is undertaken in defense of the neighborhood and the Community of Occupied Prosfygika—the largest self-organized project for social housing, solidarity, and public benefit in Greece and Europe—their 400-plus residents, the structures, the relationships, the culture, and the collective memory of this historic neighborhood. The fight is already in its final stage and will result either in the vindication of the just demands of the strikers and the Community, or in their death.
It is a fight that concerns everyone, addressing the burning issues that plague Greek society; issues that may be intensely expressed at Prosfygika, but are common, social problems linked to universal human needs. It is a fight for the right to housing, the right to health, food, education, and culture. A fight for solidarity and the right to the city. Ultimately, a fight in defense of life itself and dignity, to state with determination that our societies can and will defeat necropolitics, the plundering of our lives, the regime that drives us to misery, and the unvindicated memory of our dead. Our right to life and dignity will win.