Cyprus-Forum.com

[bill cobbett]

Yes, it's a pretty common complaint WC and it looks as though the boys and girls at OBZ, with the help of some lawyer sympathisers, are going to highlight this problem.

The Nic Police claim to have had a court warrant but have failed to produce any such authority.

The Occupiers are compiling a log of the violence by Nicosia Police and asking people who witnessed it to email with their testimonies. Have heard of some really appalling stories of how some young people were treated by the Nicosia Police, stories of hand-guns being drawn and pointed at heads whilst they were made to kneel on the floor, heads being banged against floorboards... and the story circulating on the net is that the 1g of pot had been planted by the Nicosia Police.These are very serious allegations and they need investigation.

Email for witness testimonies is... [email protected]

A reminder also that tomorrow the student organisation Skapoula have org'd a Protest Rally to support those arrested and to condemn the RoughHouse Conduct of the Out of Control Nicosia Police. This is for tomorrow afternoon, the 12th, at Eleftheria Square... it's gonna be a noisy one. More on this protest at http://www.facebook.com/events/188752291244154/

[bill cobbett]

The United Cyprus Platform of teachers on both sides of the cease-fire line have expressed strong support for the Occupy and have been equally strong in their condemnation of the Nicosia Police action last Friday in views expressed at a Press Conf yesterday.

One of the leaders warns of a big response if the Occupy is threatened again by the authorities ...

[i"...Elcil said the authorities across the divide and the UN were trying to ignore the activists who had the backing of the union movement. “We are a huge organisation and fully support this action. If the police or any organisation tries to do something against them, it will not be like last week, it will be big. We shall be here against them too,” he warned..." [/i]

Full story in the Mail.

[repulsewarrior]

Copying the tactics of the Occupy movement that camped outside St Paul’s Cathedral, the group of 20 youngsters aged between four and 19 set up tents at the Plas-y-Brenin Mountain Centre, in Capel Curig, Snowdonia.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... z1rsI0T8He

The children, members of the North Wales Snowsports Club, accuse the centre, which is a charity, and its owners Sport England, of betraying its motto of Sport for All.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... z1rsIBFg5H

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... -30748176/

...i thought that this is an interesting comment on the state of our affairs as Humans; Freedom of Expression, and thank-you occupy.

[CBBB]

‘Occupy’: we’re living the Cyprus solution

By Stefanos Evripidou
Published on April 14, 2012

THE CYPRUS problem has been solved. At least, for a small group of individuals who made the buffer zone their physical and ideological home the last five months it has.

Despite being surrounded by three armies and three sets of police, the UN included, who want them out, a group of people of all ages, from across the island and beyond, has broken free from the chains of the perennial ‘problem’ by simply living the solution.

“For us, the Cyprus problem ended when we all met here and created this space in the buffer zone,” said Kostis, 44, a member of the Occupy Buffer Zone Movement.

Through organising events, using each person’s skills to good effect and contributions, the group has survived a very cold winter in tents in an effort to make their point.

“We’ve tried to use this space in the buffer zone to pass on messages to society, to act as a resistance to the current system and propose solutions outside the logic of capitalism, where whatever you give or take has a price attached to it,” said Andreas, 28.

Kostis added: “We’ve created an alternative model of co-existence in Cyprus. When we all met here, we didn’t know each other. Everyday life would create problems for anybody, but we tried to find ways to incorporate every difference in the space we were living. We’re putting new foundations for society.”

I can already see the more cynical among you rolling your eyes, thinking just because it works for a small group of people does not necessarily mean it can be viably transferred to society at large.

But for the Movement, this is not another utopian effort to create a better society, as demonstrators around the world are trying. This is an exercise in opening one’s eyes to the structures that have perpetuated conflict in Cyprus for decades.

And last Friday’s violent police raid against the Occupy Movement in a building straddling the buffer zone is seen as an effort to destroy what the activists, without the need for oversight from higher powers, have created so far.

“We are not the ones who disturb the peace by being here, it’s the two banana republics and their efendi (master) in the middle,” said Kostis.

“It’s not just fun and games here, it’s very serious. We declared that we have already established peace and we are living it, living the solution,” said 32-year-old Cengiz.

If you don’t like something, you create something better to render its predecessor meaningless, he argued. “What they (the police) did was to destroy what we created. They are the destructive forces, we are the creative forces. They are thanatos (death), we are eros (love).”

Cengiz said the heavy-handed police operation spearheaded by anti-terror and drugs squad officers was mainly directed against unarmed teenagers who dared to think outside the box.

“Most people beaten, humiliated, abused and kicked out of this building by police last week have been traumatised. They are 16, 17 years old and they will never forget it. We are older. We’ve seen brutality before and can digest it. For them, it’s a shock,” he said.

Referring to the many dances, talks, debates organised in the buffer zone, he said: “You can call it a political art movement if you like. The occupation of the building did not destroy anything. In fact, we built upon it. Peace is like that, you construct. It’s a process.”

The same cannot be said for ongoing talks to end the island’s division, however.

“We are here to make a point. This is not a peace process. They abuse this word. It’s a war process. Why? Because the only thing they have agreed on is to not agree. They are trying to make it impossible to establish peace on this island other than the peace they envision, which is not a real peace,” said Cengiz.

“The real walls are in the mind. They say the United Nations is a peace force. They’ve been a peace force for 50 years here and nothing happened. What kind of peace is this? It’s just a ceasefire. The United Nations divides nations, divides people,” he added.

According to the Movement, there can never be peace as long as the established powers in the region, controlling the UN Security Council and on both sides of the divide and in the middle continue to impose their policies, systems and thought mechanisms on the peace process.

“This can never be a normal country. Both sides don’t want it to be a normal country. All of Cyprus wants to stay divided, traumatised, and split itself in a schizophrenic, paranoid way,” said Cengiz.

“The only way for us is to move forward. Open up these buildings (on or next to the buffer zone) and let us start showing that peace is possible. If they want, they can have a three-part solution and we will have our place in the middle. I cannot wait.”

Asked why the Movement, with seemingly noble aspirations for peace, has had little support or sympathy from the public at large on both sides of the divide, the protesters argue both communities have been brainwashed at birth by established interests and the media, with the military dictatorship in the north, and the Church and big business running the show south of the island.

“Those of us who were born after 1974 are tired of waiting for a solution from politicians and the same foreign powers whose interests were served by the country’s partition,” said Andreas.

He highlighted that his Church-influenced education taught him to think of Turkish Cypriots as “Turks” and the enemy.

Through this movement, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth came together, and through dialogue reached the understanding that ultimately, they’ve been separated to serve the interests of others.

“We were given a chance to realise that Turkish Cypriots are, if not equal than more victims of the invasion and Ankara than us Greek Cypriots. I realised what we were told in schools about us and them was an illusion,” he said.

The same building that was raided by armed police last week was the place where young peace activists from both communities “got together, ate, danced, shared ideas and co-existed, operating as a bridge for people north and south”, said Andreas.

“What happened last Friday was the result of an ideology which dominates in Cypriot society. Anything that goes beyond political, social or economic norms is beaten mercilessly,” said Kostis.

He took particular exception to the media’s response to the raid which created an image of the Movement being a hotbed of orgies and drugs for young and old

“This is the propaganda of the state and church, who are breast-feeding society that the youth are destroying us, with the sole aim to control society,” he said.

A group of youngsters embraced the Movement because it provided a space to question existing norms.

“No solution of the Cyprus problem will come from parties. It can only come from society, which needs to understand the chauvinist fairytale that’s been sold all these years. As long as children are breast-fed with nationalism and intolerance on both sides, nothing will happen.

“This is what the youth came here to question and police hit them to scare them away,” he added.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/occ ... n/20120414

Still defiant!

[bill cobbett]

If may, an update on the campaign by OBZ...

There will be simultaneous May Day Marches on both sides of the cease-fire line on May 1, starting at 3pm, both marches meeting up in Occupied Nicosia during the course of the day.

The occupiers give the pretty full day's itinerary as...


---- 15:00pm ----
- Gathering at Eleftheria square to give out texts and put up banners (workshop to make the banners this Sunday 29/4 at OBZ)
- Music
- Juggling
- Fresh juice will be offered
- Bring food to share

---- 18:00pm ----
We will march towards occupied buffer zone where we will then join the May Day march in north Nicosia!

---- 21:00pm ----
Movie Screenings at Occupied Buffer-Zone!
Djs on Deck & food will be prepared..

[bill cobbett]

An update on what's going on over at Occupy the Buffer Zone...

Tomorrow, Sat 12th, there will be a day long Global Spring Event...

The Occupiers give details of a full programme of events as follows...

We welcome you to join us on our GLOBAL SPRING celebrations.

Tayfa Bandista is joining us from istanbul to give a solidarity concert.

Sharing an Island will be shown first time at the OBZ.

"OBZ Documentary" will be premiered after a long time of waiting.

We have many more activities, activities for you and everyone!

JOIN US!

Detailed plan for the day is below. Check it out!

Detailed Program of the day

* 13:00 - Global Spring Announcement by OBZ
* 14:00 - Bandista Solidarity Concert
* 15:00 - Face Painting + Juggling + DJ's
* 16:00 - Childrens Games
* 17:00 - Street art workshop
* 18:00 - 'Within, across, and beyond borders: Our daily life'
* 19:00 - Sharing an Island Screening
* 21:00 - 'Occupying the Buffer Zone: Discussing its Realities and Potentials' + Food is Served
* 22:00 - OBZ Documentary

* 13:00- We will start the event by giving out fliers to passers by and arranging the space for the concert. The concert will start right after an announcement. http://www.may12.net/

* 14:00- Tayfa Bandista from İstanbul are joining us for Global Spring this year for solidarity. This mini concert will include their most loved tracks. http://tayfabandista.org/

* 15:00- Face Painting for kids or just for fun, we are all kids! -OBZ artists will use their talents with face paint while talented Jugglers juggle on to the music played by OBZ DJ's. Music will go on for three hours.

* 16:00- Once we get our faces painted, we will start playing childrens games on "No Borders Street" . Bring your kid, and their favourite games!

* 17:00- Street art is a part of our everyday life. Always wondered how to do things like a graffiti or a stencil? Join us, learn and improve yourself. Learn your way around a spray paint!

* 18:00- 'Within, across, and beyond borders: Our daily life' is a publicly open discussion on the daily life of Cyprus. We will question what 'border' means, living within an island, and how our daily life is shaped within, across, and speculate a life beyond 'borders'.

* 19:00- Screening - 'Sharing an Island' is a true film about three Greek-speaking and three Turkish-speaking Cypriots who meet for the first time on camera and together they travel across divided Cyprus. http://www.sharinganisland.com/


*21:00- 'OBZ: Realities and Potentials'. This is an publicly open discussion on the story of Occupying the Buffer Zone, including its internal hardships yet also the prospects it could offer. OBZ community chefs will start serving food. Famous OBZ barbercue will happen. On the menu: Souvlaki, Sheftalia, Halloumi, Grilled Veggies and salad.

*22:00- A second screening will be held, "OBZ Documentary" will be premiered and shown to public. This documentary shows and explains OBZ from our first day, up till now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfxnL4mhdog

*23:00- Music with DJ's will start again, we will have fun till we get tired.

** Throughout the day, we will continue giving out fliers and talking to the passersby.

[repulsewarrior]

what an irony, in Cyprus the President is Communist, yet it is these most marginalised through their action which inspire our Oneness. as Cypriots they take the vanguard in demonstrating our love for each other, and respect for the Universal Principals as Humans we all live by. thank-you bill of course, for keeping us posted, and most of all thank-you these brave who see that they must live the future, passed their past, organising and educating as evolving Post-Modern People, steadfast as representatives of what cannot change in a World full of "compromises", who occupy a little part of Cyprus not as adversaries. i salute them, again

...we can support them in our daily lives 5,000 miles away, the enemy is bigger than the fighting amongst ourselves; we choose enemies like Ignorance and Hunger if we are a Mankind: Bombmaking is a Sin, a Nobility without Grace. Lest We Forget, not Productive Thinking. acting accordingly, a life's dedication.

it is the fear within ourselves, the challenge. "Greek" and "Turk" stuck in an Age before the Modern. while now, futuristic thinking takes us to our limits beyond, into the Information Age; we are Citizens of the World and responsible to one another: only we are Persons. this is Bicommunal, and in this diversity we are an ethnosphere. as Greek and as Turks along with Maronites for example, we have the same need for an ability to sustain ourselves. it is why; look deep and see if the abyss is only an illusion because in the end our choice as Cypriots should be no different to any other Human Being toward our Freedom.

Not Property; Freedom for Cyprus, Freedom for Cypriots.

[Panicos UK]

Hear, hear. BUT, from an Orthodox Christian perspective (not that I'm any authority), mankind is inherently corrupted and in a fallen state. You could eliminate 'ignorance' and 'hunger' (to use your words) but this would not solve the problem. Man is inherently greedy and proud. He sees the wife of his neighbour and he wants to possess her. He sees an expensive car, a house, a plane and he wants it. Man is also quick to judge, quick to punish, quick to lash out - this is the sin of pride. Contained in your message is still a basic desire to control or 'make people understand' your point of view. God in all his wisdom and power doesn't do this. Rather he gives us what we need to find our own path. He allows mistakes because he takes a risk. The risk of free will. True freedom is not the 'freedom' you refer to. Freedom lies within. Freedom lies in finding yourself and finding God within your own heart.

[bill cobbett]

For both the God-fearing and less than God-fearing, here's a nice picky from yesterday's Global Spring event at the Occupation of the Buffer Zone.

Far more at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 372&type=3

Oh... and some exciting news... you'll remember that the Bad Boys of the Nicosia Police evicted the occupiers from the building belonging to God's Church of CY and to the Monastery of Kykko in particular... ??? The building that had been cleared of 50+ years of rubbish and renovated in to an Activity Centre...??? ...

Well... It's been ReOccupied!!!!! ...

[repulsewarrior]

...i do not agree with you about Orthodoxy, although my example is from my belief as a Greek Orthodox, simply, my Church teaches me to study both Bibles, and for my guidance there are the words of Christ, the way. i like to think that Castro has a deep sense of this notion we call God, and it is why, i think, he personally built a Greek Orthodox Church in Cuba, Faith is a most personal reflection, a Leader of a Church expresses himself like any individual, equal in his Humility and in his own practice (not like a Pope); our Church is considered one of the most socialised in the world. the Truth is kept by sharing the infinite gift you allude to, God is Love, or, as Christ followed, the Golden Rule. a Gnostic would say that inherently there is a Law of Entropy, and thus it is easy to assay that all things, living or otherwise come to an end. death, here the only certainty, is to believe that there is an everlasting and a return to it, Buddha's life represents this as an example, as well.

...indeed i will exchange the information i know, and as for wanting cars and women and things, there is nothing wrong in that; it is the plunder, and it remains true, the occupiers at the Occupation on Ledras St., are the slim link we have to Unity against the corruption and Ignorance we are subject to, even in our daily lives, because it is possible that there are a few who have the Agenda and who choose to exploit the rest of us, resisting change by manipulating fear.

...Panicos the only Freedom I discussed is the Freedom of Cyprus, and the Cypriot People. indeed there is a higher level and many levels, more broadly speaking, you speak of a Freedom within, all of this is a matter of choices, that is the hell, good things like a commitment to Universal Principals do not come easily, having a soul well lit either. again i applaud these militants who have found a way to educate themselves and the community that surrounds them.

...Freedom is to serve.

@ bill, nice crowd!