NEW YORK – On July 20, 1974, Turkish troops invaded the northern portion of the sovereign nation of Cyprus. The United Nations Security Council deemed the invasion to be “illegally invalid.” The invasion caused 150,000 Greek Cypriots to be displaced from their homes. Many of those refugees immigrated to the United States, especially New York City. On March 25, Greek Independence Day, New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R, C-Staten Island, Brooklyn) sponsored a resolution that recognizes the 50th dark anniversary this year of the illegal invasion and the continuing occupation of Cyprus.

“As the son of Cypriot refugees, my family suffered a great injustice in 1974 when the Turkish military invaded Cyprus. Due to this invasion, thousands of Greek Cypriots were displaced and they have yet to see justice for those illegal acts. It is my duty to sponsor this resolution which will ensure that the struggle of Cypriots is never forgotten and that we will continue the fight for justice,” said Tannousis.