After three days the protests are growing. Hundreds of people gathered infront of the port in Mytilini and marched the city streets for hours. It was the first protest where many different nationalities marched together under the same slogan, “We want freedom!” and you could see the uniting power of the people.  The demonstration returned to the port where, to everyones surprise, the gates stood open and unguarded. Excited, people started running towards the ferry in hope of going to Athens. Despite their big numbers, they met resistance from the police and military, who forcefully evicted the port. Nevertheless the group continued to the main square of Mytilini where it was decided to keep the action running with more protests in the next days.

After months of repression, frustration and fighting each other the people are uniting, selforganizing and fighting together for their rights. We hope the protests will keep growing and we are looking forward to the next days.

United, the people will never be defeated! No borders! No nations!

Since the 23rd when people from Pakistan protested for papers there were other demonstrations. For example on the 25th people rose up for freedom of movement and against the conditions in the detentioncenter Moria.

We asked a participant from Afghanistan why they were protesting;

“We come, we want freedom. We look for a new life, we want freedom. They put us in jail, like animals. We are not animals, we are humans! We want freedom. We want to go to Athens, we want a better life. There is no facility, there is no possibility. They put us in a jail, we are not criminals, we are just refugees. This is enough!”

On the 23rd of May over 150 people protested for legal papers, some went on a hungerstrike. In the last few days people of some nationalities (for example; Syrians, Afghanis) have gotten papers allowing them to move to the mainland for interview in their asylum process, while others (for example; Pakistanis, Moroccans and Algerians) are still stranded on Lesvos being denied the right to apply for asylum. For that reason the group marched in the morning from Moria towards Mytilini stopping for a few hours outside a small town, Panagiouda.

Support the struggle! Fight fortress Europe! Freedom of movement for all!