The reaction culminates after the impasse in Tuesday's meeting with the Chief of Police
The stalemate in the meeting between the Chief of Police and motorcyclists to repeal the decree issued by the first, to ban the circulation of motorcycles at certain hours and days in August, leads thousands of motorcyclists tonight to peaceful pan-Cypriot protests.
At 19:00 the legal owners of motorcycles will take to the streets in reaction to the attitude of the Police.
It is estimated that even 10.000 motorcyclists will participate in this event by sending a message of unity. Speaking to Offsite, the representative of the motorcyclists, Zannetos Koumassis, stressed that "the attitude of the Police is unconstitutional. In essence, the decree prohibits the free movement of motorcyclists. In no case does the decree achieve the goals of combating noise pollution and noise in the evening hours ". Mr. Koumassi stated that "we want to send a clear message through peaceful crossings in the cities".
In a statement issued on Thursday, the motorcyclists stressed that: "Unfortunately, the leadership of the Police and the competent Ministry do not understand the problem of deprivation of liberty, discrimination and the insult created against a large number of citizens as a result of the decree on the circulation of motorcycles and tricycles. four-wheeled motorcycles on specific roads and times ”.
Specifically, the coordinating committee of organized motorcycle ensembles invites all fully legal motorcyclists to a coordinated peaceful protest on Friday 21/08/2020 at 19:00 in the local areas as follows.
Limassol: Air Area
Nicosia: Parking of old GSP
Larnaca: Square of Europe
Famagusta: Parking Water Park
Paphos: Parking of Paphia Stadium
Police: "We are ready"
At the same time, the Police are on standby. Speaking to Offsite, the Deputy Spokesman of the Headquarters, Stelios Stylianou, stated that "the Police are aware of the intentions of the motorcyclists and we will discreetly monitor the events. "As we are informed, the events will be peaceful, but we must be ready."
The amending decree will be valid for the dates 22 & 23.8.2020 and 29 & 30.8.2020, on the roads mentioned in the decree, between the hours 0001 - 0400 (Friday and Saturday night). At the same time, an operational action plan will be prepared, which will include an increased presence of members of the Police in the streets referred to in the decree, during the specific days.
The decree prohibits the circulation of all two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled motorcycles, with a displacement of more than 125 cc. on roads, days and hours, listed below:
Nicosia: On 16, 23 and 30 August, 2020, between the hours 00:01 - 05:00, on Griva Digeni Avenue, from the point of intersection with Archangelou Avenue and Agios Prokopios Avenue, to the intersection with Themistokli Dervi Street and in Prodromou Avenue, from its junction with Erythrou Stavrou Street, to the intersection with Griva Digeni Avenue.
Limassol: On 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 August, 2020, between the hours 19:00 - 04:00 of the next day, on the coastal road of Limassol and specifically on Spyrou Araouzou streets, October 28, Promachon Eleftherias, Georgiou AD and Amathus.
Paphos: On 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 August, 2020, between the hours 20:00 - 04:00 of the next day, on Poseidonos Avenue, in Paphos.
Famagusta Free Area: On 14 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 August, 2020, between the hours 20:00 - 04:00 of the next day, on Protaras Street (Protaras Hotel Road, Paralimni Municipality) and on Nissi and Archbishop Makarios III, in Ayia Napa.
It should be noted that professional food distributors are excluded from the prohibition provisions of the decree.
Source: Offsite