Today marks the 28th anniversary of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos’ deaths at the hands of the invading Turks in Cyprus. Despite the higher ups’ wishes for it to be forgotten, Greeks from all over Cyprus promised that justice would come and the fight would continue. “We honor their grace and sacrifice, promising to carry their message to Famagusta, Kyrenia, Morphou, Karpasia, Mesaria, and Pentadaktylos, completing the pilgrimage. ‘The mountains are lifted by the people on their shoulders,’”.
On August 11, 1996, Tassos Isaac took part in a Berlin-to-Cyprus peace ride by motorcyclists that ended in a village right at the line dividing Cyprus in two. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots clashed in the UN Buffer Zone, and Tassos was separated from his group, unarmed, and killed by Turks. Days later, a protest took place for Tassos’s death. Solomos Solomou, who was attending the protest, noticed the fake “Northern Cyprus” flag and wanted it taken down. He climbed the flag pole half way before being shot down by Turkish soldiers.