Hunger strike begins a week ofprotests

ANTI-OCCUPATION, refugee and student organisations are gearing up for a series of events this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.Yesterday the mothers of missing persons began their annual 24-hour hunger strike at the Ledra Palace checkpoint and were due to be joined by students last night for an all-night vigil.Tonight the anti-occupation group Pak is organising a huge demonstration at the checkpoint which will be addressed by Archbishop Chrysostomos.In the afternoon members of the Cyprus Motorcyclists’ Association will drive to Paralimni cemetery and light torches at the graves of Greek Cypriot protestors Tassos Issac and Solomos Solomou.The two demonstrators were killed during separate anti-occupation protests on August 11 and 14 in 1996 at Dherynia.The bikers will then ride from Paralimni to Nicosia with the lighted torches, and are due to arrive at the Ledra Palace at around 7pm.Other groups will also light torches at the graves of victims of the coup and invasion at Makedonitissa cemetery and carry them to the checkpoint.Following the Archbishop’s speech a resolution will be passed with a message to the political parties, the government and the UN.Anniversary events will also be held abroad during the week. In London demonstrations will take place outside the Turkish embassy and there will also be a march through the centre of the city.On Tuesday Greek Americans are organising a rally in Washington which will be followed by a vigil outsid

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