Greek protesters chain themselves to government building in solidarity with 300 immigrants hunger strikers - Thessaloniki, Greece,

Greek protesters chain themselves to government building in solidarity with 300 immigrants hunger strikers - Thessaloniki, Greece,, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

As the hunger strike by 300 immigrants in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece enters a critical phases dozens of supporters chained themselves to government buildings in the country's second largest city, Thessaloniki in a show of solidarity.

With the protest in its second month more than 78 of the participants have already been hospitalised and doctors treating the remainder warn that unless the strike ends immediately those taking part run the risk of permanent damage to vital organs. As of Sunday hunger strikers also decided to stop taking the salt and sugar solutions. Protesters also hung banners saying "The Papandreou government kills" from the balcony of the ex-Ministry of Northern Greece.

In Athens where 250 of the 300 immigrants are based Greek riot police broke up a press conference organised by human rights groups supporting the demands of the immigrants for legal residence papers.which was due to be held outside parliament.

More pictures on Demotix

Spokesman for the 300 immigrant hunger strikers in Greece addresses rally.

Spokesman for the immigrant hunger strike enters 35th day, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Spokesman for the hunger strikers at a rally last wednesday.

300 immigrants in Athens and Thessaloniki have entered their 35th day of a hunger strike aimed at securing residence papers.

From today onwards they will be refusing the sugar solution whicg they have been taking till now. With several hunger strikers hospitalised doctors have warned that they now risk the threat of permanent organ damage.

Greece currently grants asylum to less than 0.1% of applicants and has been repeatedly condemned by the UNHCR, Amnesty International and the governments of Sweden, Germany, Holland and Norway for its treatment of immigrants.

For more on the background to the situation check out these blogs (written in a variety of languages, including English).

hungerstrike300.espivblogs.net/

allilmap.wordpress.com/