Another report on Nikos Ramanos, on hunger strike since 10/11/2014 and the massive support he has from the people of Athens. What effect does it have on you if at the age of 15, you see your best friend shot by a police officer and watch him die there on the street?
Tuesday December 2, 10,000 – 15,000 people marched in solidarity with anarchist hunger striker Nikos Romanos.
Romanos has been on hunger strike since 10/11/2014 fighting for his right to furloughs. He is entitled to these furloughs in order to be able to attend classes at the University School in which he was accepted after successfully sitting the national exams from inside the prison.
Nikos Romanos has been in prison since February 2013 when he was arrested for armed robbery along with Dimitris-Andreas Bourzoukos, Yiannis Michailidis and Dimitris Politis. They were all so badly beaten and tortured by the police that their photos were photoshopped before being released to the press.
Yiannis Michailidis has been on hunger strike since November 17 while Dimitris-Andreas Bourzoukos and Dimitris Politis also went on hunger strike on December 1 in solidarity with their comrade.
Nikos Romanos is also the best friend of Alexis Grigoropoulos who was killed by the police on December 6, 2008 sparking massive riots in Greece. He was there during the murder and he saw his friend die in front of him when they were both 15 years old.
The solidarity demo ended in riots in Exarchia. 31 people were detained, 12 of which were finally arrested and charged. Many of them were severely beaten by the police. Syriza MPs that visited the Police HQ report that there was blood on the floors.
You can read Nikos Romanos’ letter declaring his hunger strike here. Nikos Romanos’ second letter from hospital, after the news broke out about the rejection of his demand for leave, here.
