Living conditions are still horrible!

The 273 immigrants have finally been transported peacefully from the Athens Law school to another building, but they are declaring through the Initiative of Solidarity, which is the mouthpiece of the immigrants on huger strike, that they have to deal with horrible living conditions.

“The immigrants have left the building with their pride intact. They marched, carrying their belongings, and entered the new building, but then realized the conditions are horrible. The space provided is not enough for 100 people. The people at the moment are literally on top of one another and there are NO restrooms. Also, it is important to note that not all of the building is open to them, only the basement and ground floor. About 80 people slept until 6am in the courtyard of the building and when it started to rain, they had to be transported to other places in Athens” said Mr. Petros Yiotis.

On their part, the immigrants stated they will be continuing the hunger strike until their needs are finally met. In the neoclassical building of Epirus Street there are at the moment 157 immigrants and 15 members of the Initiative of Solidarity.  

In a few hours, the neoclassical building that has stood on the corner of Patission and Epirus streets for a about a century now, became front page news in most media since it now hosts the immigrants.

It is a four-floor building of 1.240 sm., which was built in the beginning of 20th century by one of the most important architects of the time, Alexander Nikoloudis.

The building is opposite the Archaelogical Museum of Athens and is one of the few examples of French neo-baroque in Athens. It is also very close to Egypt Square and the National Metsovio Polytechnic University. The building is at the moment under the ownership of Ypatia Institute, a non-governmental agency that conducts social and political research.