| |
|
The demonstration planned for October 9, in Gemlik-Bursa under the slogan „Freedom for the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan" was stopped by extreme state repression. This year, several actions took place again all over the world on October 9, the anniversary of the day called "International Conspiracy Day" because Ocalan had to leave Syria on that date. Also for the demonstration in Gemlik, from where the boats leave to the prison island of Imrali, where Ocalan is imprisoned in solitary confinement, a participation of 100 thousand people was expected. However, due to the extreme high level of arbitrary repression and violation of even its own laws, the fascist dictatorship impeded the demonstration.{divide}
Not enough that the demonstration condemning the isolation of Ocalan was banned; all the entrances of Gemlik have been blocked completely for Kurdish people. Moreover, Kurdish patriots who wanted to travel to Gemlik have been stopped already in their places of departure, like it happened in Izmir, Manisa, Istanbul, Adana, Diyarbakir and many other places.
Gulten Kisanak, co-chairperson of the BDP , said that following an order by the interior ministry all governors forbid the entry and exit in towns and districts for October 9. She said "This means to proclaim an emergency state and martial law. We are facing a government which bans all kinds of action and activity organized by citizens who want to express their opinions and contribute to the democratic struggle." All over the country, the police seized vehicles, detained drivers and activists, stopped cars and buses not allowing them to pass terrorizing the people.
In Amed, thousands of Kurdish patriots departing for Gemlik have been stopped by the police on the road under the pretext, that the demonstration has been banned. At the police barricades, Gulten Kisanak has almost been squeezed by a police vehicle. She was saved in the very last moment by the crowd. The people stayed for a long time at the police road block protesting against the ban and the detention of three persons.
In Istanbul, police was concentrated hours before the planned depart to Gemlik at all meeting points. Some drivers of the buses rented for the trip to Gemlik have been taken into custody and traffic tickets have been issued for the other vehicles for various reasons. The police also blocked the buildings of the BDP. For example in Atasehir-Istanbul, the police did not allow anybody to move in or out the building under the pretext that "there is a suspicious packet which may be a bomb". Afterwards, the police seized the buses. In Beyoglu-Istanbul, the police blocked the meeting points with armoured vehicles preventing the Kurdish patriots to reach their buses.
In Izmir, the masses gathering at the BDP building were confronted with a police blockade not allowing them to leave the building. Moreover, the vehicles which should take the masses to Gemlik have been seized by the police.
Not only the roads, but also the train stations were blocked. 12 students coming from Sarkaya were taken into police custody at the train station of Adipazar on their way to Gemlik.
These are only some of the numerous examples, how the democratic rights have been violated and people violently stopped to express their legitimate demands in the context of the Gemlik demonstration.
Everywhere, the Kurdish freedom movement protested against the ban with sit-ins and shouting slogans like "Bijî Serok Apo" and "1000 greetings to Imrali". BDP co-chairperson Selahattin Demirtas called the people to struggle on a protest meeting on October 9 in Dagkapi-Amed saying: "From now on, we are calling our people to resist everywhere, no matter if they are 5, 10 or 500. It is an honour to resist against this fascism and a right." He also added "As long as Ocalan will be kept in Imrali a solution will be impossible."
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
