Christos Bouris
Louis Allan, a British Cypriot born and raised in Cyprus, began a hunger strike last Monday, sitting atop an olive tree (a symbolic "olive tree protest") at the roundabout on Saint Procopius Street in Engomi. His goal? To raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Palestine and show solidarity with its people. Since the collapse of the ceasefire, millions have been deprived of humanitarian aid, and Louis is determined to shed light on their suffering.
Louis’ hunger strike began at noon on Monday and will continue until this Saturday. Speaking to K, he explained that the protest is meant to highlight the daily hardships faced by Palestinians, who are enduring extreme deprivation. As he sits in his spot, many passersby have shown their support by honking their horns or offering encouraging words, motivating Louis to carry on.
While we were there, we witnessed drivers honking as they passed by, a gesture that seemed to energize Louis. With a smile, he even flashed a victory sign to the camera.
However, not everyone is on board with his protest. Louis shared that some young individuals tried to disrupt his hunger strike. They snatched some of the flags from the protest site and, as he described, returned in greater numbers to continue attempting to sabotage the demonstration. One night, a group even threw eggs at him and his supporters, targeting both Louis and those who stood in solidarity with him.
Louis’ choice of the olive tree as the focal point of his protest is a deliberate one. The olive tree has long been a symbol of peace, not only for Palestinians but also for Cypriots. By using the tree, Louis wants to send a broader message of humanity and peace. Moreover, the location he picked is significant: the road sees thousands of people passing through each day, amplifying the impact of his protest.
At the base of the olive tree, a banner reads, “Gaza is starving.” Surrounding him are Palestinian flags and several cardboard signs with messages like “Gaza is starving,” “Children are not a target,” “Gaza doesn’t face hunger, Gaza is starving,” and “The Cypriot government supports genocide.”
Alongside Louis are many of his friends, some of whom stay with him overnight. We also met his parents, who have been supportive of his actions. Louis’ protest is carried out in collaboration with the organizations Genocide Free Cy, United For Palestine, and Afoa Cy.
Louis’ hunger strike may be small, but the message behind it is loud and clear: it’s time for the world to wake up to the ongoing tragedy in Palestine.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
