Unprecedented tensions erupted at the annual Justice for Cyprus March on Sunday, as local members of the group ‘United Greeks’ (Ενωμένοι Έλληνες – EE) widely considered to be affiliated to the right wing of politics in Greece, attended with banners depicting leader of the Cypriot guerrilla organisation EOKA, Georgios – “Digenis” – Grivas and bearing the legend: “Ελλάς-Κύπρος, Ένωσις” (Greece-Cyprus, Union). This immediately sparked a debate among attendees as to the appropriateness of the banner, which ultimately led to the police being called. They in turn requested that the offending banners be withdrawn and this request was immediately complied with by the members of EE.
One attendee who was offended by the banner commented: “Grivas is a divisive figure in history. As leader of EOKA, he did fight for the independence of Cyprus from British rule. However, his subsequent role in destabilising the politics of Cyprus ultimately led to a civil war and, arguably, the partition of the island. His role in organising the X Battalions, which committed atrocities against leftist resistance forces in World War II in Greece, also is execrable. As for the words ‘Greece-Cyprus: Union’, it was on the pretext that Greece was about to annex Cyprus that Turkey invaded the island in 1974, in the first place. As such, this banner is offensive and counterproductive. We should be focusing on the plight of refugees and reunification of the island as a functioning democracy. In the 44 years that I have been attending the Cyprus Rally, I have never seen anything like this.”
One of the organisers of the march, elaborated: “The policy of the Cypriot government is for the island to be reunified so that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity can live in peace and harmony, without the intervention or interference of other countries. There were several representatives of the Cypriot government present and their attendance at a demonstration where there are calls for the union between Cyprus and Greece can be taken as tantamount to an endorsement of that stance, though this is not the position of the Cypriot government or the organising committee, placing them in an embarrassing and difficult position. Our march protests against the continuing occupation of Cyprus by Turkish troops and the perpetuation of the division of the island. Therefore, the banner was clearly inappropriate. The owners of the banner were asked to withdraw it and they complied immediately.”
However, a member of EE present at the March expressed indignation at the treatment received by its organisation.
“This is a rally that has extremely poor attendance. Not even Cypriots turn up to protest. And when young Greeks turn up, willing to lend a hand, how are they treated? They get set upon, as if they are criminals. This is going to leave a lasting impression in the minds of the youth. Don’t complain that the young Greeks of Melbourne don’t take part in the community when the community sets the police on them”.
Another member of EE commented as follows: “Whatever happened to democracy? Why can’t we express our democratic right to express our beliefs?”
When it was suggested to him that it was held by some attendees that the sentiments expressed by the banners were either offensive or not specific to the focus of the march, he responded:
“First of all, our banners also had photographs of Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, both heroes murdered by the armed forces occupying northern Cyprus. Are they offensive too?
“Secondly, our banner’s legend ‘Greece-Cyprus: Union’ was trying to express the sentiment that Greece is united with Cyprus in seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem and that Greece stands with Cyprus. Obviously, some ‘well-wishers’ chose to interpret that differently for their own reasons. We don’t appreciate people disrespecting our right to voice an opinion. Especially when the Cyrpus March is clearly in terminal decline. Our members will continue to advocate for justice.”
During the march, the slogan “Τσεκούρι και φωτιά στα Τούρκικα σκυλιά” (Axe and fire to the Turkish dogs) was also heard being chanted. Members of EE denied responsibility for this.
