Akrotiri residents protest planned installation of new antennas

Akrotiri, Cyprus. Residents and local groups held a peaceful protest outside the British Bases at Akrotiri on Saturday morning, opposing plans to install new antennas in the area.

The demonstrators marched to the British Bases gate, where they handed a resolution to a representative.

Protest and participation

The demonstration was organised by Kourion Municipality and attended by residents of the Akrotiri municipal district, the Merra Akrotiri Committee, the “Akrotiri Hour Zero” movement, organised groups, members of the Green Party and other members of the public.

The march began at 9.30am from the first entrance to the Akrotiri municipal district and proceeded towards the gate of the British Bases.

Protesters carried placards reading “Akrotiri Hour Zero”, “No to antennas, yes to health” and “No to the antennas of death”.

Mayor’s statement

Before the march, Kourion Mayor Pantelis Georgiou said those gathered “love their land” and have the right to protect the environment, their quality of life and their children’s future.

“Akrotiri is not simply a place on the map. It is a place of unique natural beauty, a wetland of international importance, a place of history, culture and life in our Cyprus,” he said.

Georgiou said the local community opposed the installation of new antennas and called for respect for residents, the environment and the community’s voice.

He said the resolution would be delivered to the British Bases Administration “institutionally, with arguments, with dignity and with absolute respect for democratic procedures”.

Georgiou also called on the Republic of Cyprus to support its citizens and defend the right of local communities to participate in decisions affecting their future.

“Today we are not raising our voice against anyone. We are raising it for our land. For Akrotiri, for Kourion Municipality, for our Cyprus,” he said.