THE POLICE and the Nicosia Municipality were yesterday rushing to correct the mistake that led to two opposing groups being given permits for separate events in the same place in Nicosia’s old town tomorrow evening.
The permits error could bring together Greek Resistance Movement KEA members on an anti-immigrant march with another group planning a multicultural street party at Phaneromeni Square.
Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos yesterday made it clear that the force would in no way allow the two events to run at the same time tomorrow. He said from the very first moment the police realised what had happened, they had been taking steps to ensure the confrontation does not come about.
“For the police, there is an non-negotiable condition and we want to make it clear that there is no way, under any circumstances that we will allow the two events to take place in the same area,” said Katsounotos.
“If our efforts with the organisers don’t succeed in reaching a consensual solution, then final decisions will be made in cooperation with the Attorney-general, for the public’s best interests.”
These decisions, he added, would entail strong security measures and a powerful police presence to ensure participants in the two events do not cross paths, but also “strong and determined action in the event that some do not comply”.
Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou yesterday said vast efforts to convince the two organisers to reschedule their events were ongoing. But she admitted that efforts so far had proved futile.
“The municipality gives permission for the use of a public area and we give this permission, as a rule, with regulations that have to do with the surrounding residents, such as the use of speakers, cleanliness and so on,” she explained. “Because marches mainly have to do with traffic regulations, they get permission from the police.”
Mavrou admitted that the authorities only became aware of the blunder when they read about it on the internet
“We contacted the police and the Justice Minister, in order to take certain measures,” said the Mayor. “We tried to convince the organisers to change their events, but we had no response. But I think with everyone’s cooperation, both events can take place without problem.”
KEA will start its march from Lykavitos Police Station and end in Phaneromeni Square, protesting the Turkish occupation, settlers in the north, crossing points and illegal immigrants.
At the same time, a party organised by a loose collective of regular night-time visitors to Phaneromeni to celebrate multiculturalism and speak out against discrimination will be underway, with music, dance, jugglers, clowns and food.
KEA yesterday said it had no intention of postponing or reorganising its march.
They said the blame lay firmly with Nicosia Municipality, which gave permission for ‘the anti-racism’ street party to go ahead just a few days ago.
Krinos Makrides, head of KEA, said the movement had been given permission for their march over a month ago from the police. He added that the movement didn’t intend to engage in violence.
However, KEA vice president Panayiotis Kleovoulou made it clear that “if we are attacked by the so-called anti-racists, we will defend ourselves”.
He said KEA didn’t wish to see a repetition of the troubles that took place in Larnaca last year, when participants in the anti-racism Rainbow Festival clashed violently with an anti-migrant march that was planned for the exact same time and place as the festival.
In a posting on Facebook, the anti=racism group said yesterday it was clear that KEA chose Phaneromeni square “because it has a multi-cultural nature”
“They want to provoke and win votes for next week’s elections. They say they want to keep this space in Greek hands,” said the posting.
“The peaceful and “colourful” festival we are organising, our smiles and imagination, is our answer to this challenge. They have to understand that times have changed and logical people do not like their negative energy. Fir how long will racists and fascists be allowed to spread their hate in the streets? We are and will remain in Phaneromeni square and will continue to demand a different future than what they are trying to sell to us.”
