‘What Took Away Berkin Elvan and George Floyd is the Same Darkness’

* Photos: Evrim Kepenek / bianet

Click to read the article in Turkish

"It is not a statement. Because freedom of thought and press is restricted in Turkey. We do not make a statement since it is restricted. Because we want to make this statement in Gezi Park. We cannot do it as it is prevented. What we do here today is not a statement for the press..."

Who is addressing the police with above remarks in Mis Street in Taksim, İstanbul is lawyer Can Atalay from the Taksim Solidarity platform.

On the 7th anniversary of Gezi Resistance, Taksim Solidarity came together at İstiklal Avenue in Taksim yesterday (June 1). In fact, the group intended to make a statement to both commemorate the ones who lost their lives in Gezi and to celebrate the resistance in its 7th year.

However, the statement could be held in Mis Sokak because freedom of thought and expression is restricted, as Can Atalay said. Mis Street was closed at both ends by the police and the statement was held in company with police officers and Anti-Riot Water Cannon Vehicle (TOMA).

CLICK - Gezi is 7 Years Old

'Gezi is the honor of us all'

Opening a banner that read "Life can only fit into Gezi" in reference to "Life fits into home", the motto of the Health Ministry against coronavirus, the group also chanted the slogans "Everywhere Taksim, everywhere resistance," "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us," "We will struggle and win" and "The martyrs of Gezi is our honor."

The statement was also attended by Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Oya Ersoy, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP Ali Şeker, CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu, HDP İstanbul Provincial Co-Chairs Elif Bulut and Erdal Avcı, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu and Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Chair Sedat Şenoğlu.

Reading out the statement for the press on behalf of Taksim Solidarity, lawyer Can Atalay briefly said the following:

"Seven years ago, when the plunder intended to reach out for the square at the heart of the country, millions of people took to the streets in 80 cities to defend the city, nature, labor and fraternity and to win equality, freedom and justice. Because this system feeds on consumption, not on production.

"Not only does it replace the nature with concrete, but it also consumes people. It was the cry of masses, the 'enough is enough' cry of the people in the face of this system pressing alms into the hand of a patient who demanded health services, taking women away from life and employment and confining them into home, caring about the speed of the construction rather than the health of workers, turning quality education into a privilege, postponing the right of retirement till 'grave', trying to captivate opinions, dividing, othering and polarizing people.

'The demands of Gezi were rightful'

"Gezi was the deep breath of the people who tried to escape the pressure exerted on itself and stood up against inequality. In fact, all demands of Gezi were rightful, we are now tested with this rightfulness.

"An earthquake happened and you could not hide the fact that you had destroyed all earthquake assembly areas. We are still sitting on a mine, we make yet another warning each time.

"We are right and you know that. You and the companies that you take under your wings: Keep your hands off soil, agriculture and seeds.

"The darkness that took Berkin, Ethem, Medeni, Ali İsmail, Hasan Ferit, Abdullah, Ahmet and Mehmet away from us in Gezi is the same darkness that stopped George Floyd's breath. We were against it back then, we are still against it today. Peaceful resistance is a right everywhere. We are one and together despite thousands of kilometers between us.

"If everyone here respects this mask and wears one today, it is because they know the bond of this mask with life from Gezi Resistance. You are now in need of these masks that you put on trial once; may this prey on you.

"Gezi is our rightfulness. History is proving it each passing day. Gezi is the honor of this people, we will live with our honor.

"Pandemic continues. Even though we are away from each other physically, our hearts are beating together. We trust in the teaching of solidarity of Gezi, we trust in its power. Gezi is this land's hope and opportunity for equality, freedom and justice." (EMK/SD)