The Northern Establishment Poor to the Street

It is said that the "Yes to Peace, No to this Plan," rally in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC-the breakaway Turkish Cypriot State) was organized by the National People's Movement (UHH). But in fact, everybody knows that this rally was actually organized by a joint effort of the "state and the army."

The state television broadcasted the rally live on TV, while the public servants had the day off. At schools, especially the comptrollers invited the students to the rally telling them that there would also be "a concert" there. The loudspeakers of the civil defense called on the public to attend the rally. The head of the Anafartalar high school in Kyrenia announced buses would be ready in front of the school to take those interested to the rally.

Those who were for peace "remained" at school

The soldiers and police officers that were dressed up in civilian clothes were present at the rally. The civil servants were told that they would still be paid for the day if they attended the rally instead of going to work. I walked pass a school on my way to the rally. "Peace in Cyprus cannot be Prevented," were chanting the students. The teachers would not let them get out of school.

The coalition partners, National Unity Party (UBP), and the Democratic Party (DP), announced they supported the rally. First, the Farmers' Union came to the rally carrying agricultural tools. The settlers from Turkey gathered together under the banner, "Immigrants' Union." They were holding flags with three crescents (flags representing nationalists in Turkey).

They said Rauf Denktash (Turkish Cypriot leader) would also attend the rally. Haluk Levent would give a concert but people are reacting against him. His website has been hacked, it is said that he will make a speech at the rally supporting peace.

The organizations that attended the rally

Here are the organizations that signed the TRNC Initiative Communiqué and organized under the leadership of UHH:

Nationalist Justice Party (MAP), Our Party, Cyprus Turkish Islamic Community, Cyprus Turkish Farmers' Union, Turkish Peace Forces War Veterans' Association, TRNC Immigrants' Association, Civil Servants' Union, Public Workers' Union, Port Workers' Union, TRNC Ulku Organization (nationalists), Hatay Culture and Solidarity Association, Freedom and Justice Party, Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Association, Human Rights Association, Mothers' Association, Association for Hurt Immigrants from South, Cukurova Culture and Solidarity Association. (NK/BB/EA/NM)