Martyrs of 15th -16th June general strike commemorated
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15th-16th June 1970, the Great Workers' resistance, was commemorated by democratic and revolutionary organisations and unions in Turkey. On the general strike and general resistance of 15th -16th June 1970, which was the first great resistance realised by the working class as a social force in Turkey, the workers Yasar Yildirim (Mutlu Aku Factory worker), Mustafa Bayram (Vinleks Factory worker) and Mehmet Gıdak (Cevizli Tekel Factory worker) became martyrs.{divide}
In Istanbul, the members of "Health and A Safe Future to Everyone" Platform, gathered on 15th June in front of Kadikoy Council and marched until Yogurtcu Park, where the 3 workers had fallen in 1970. The workers and labourer realised the march although tried to be hindered by the police and shouted the slogans "The union of the workers will win the capital" and "long live the 15th -16th June general strike". At the march they carried the banner read "Health and a safe future to everyone". During the march supported by unions such as Egitim-Sen , Tekstil-Sen , TUMTIS and Belediye-Is as well as revolutionary forces like Halk Cephesi and ESP , calls were made to fight against the economic crisis. In a speech held in the name of the platform, the following was said: "15th -16th June general strike was the uprising of the oppressed, the exploited and those against the capital system, it was the struggle to provide human life in favour of labour to the whole humanity." The statement emphasized to consider the 15th -16th June resistance as a guide for today.
In Bursa, unions and platforms organised an action on 15th June and opened the banner read "With the spirit of struggling against capitalism's crisis, social destruction and fascist attacks, long live our resistance of 15th -16th June." The statement also said: "Let's realise new resistances of 15th -16th June against capitalism's crisis, social destruction, unemployment, poverty, dismissals and fascist tyranny."
In Izmir, a march was organised called on by DISK . The workers and labourers gathering in front Karsiyaka Square and marching until Karsiyaka Council were supported by ODP , Egitim-Sen and ESP. DISK General President made a speech stressing that unemployment had risen because of the economic crisis and that therefore, the struggle for basic rights such as health, education and transport had to rise, too.