The women sent letters to the 24 women members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). "Will you vote for sending troops to Iraq? Will you send your children, husbands, brothers to Iraq?" asked the women in these letters.
"Don't vote for sending troops"
With the parliament reconvening from a summer recess, the women demonstrated in many parts of Turkey, from the Aegean port city of Izmir to southeastern Diyarbakir.The letters they sent to the 24 women lawmakers included signatures against sending troops to Iraq. The same letters were read and sent after every protest.
In some provinces, women from unions of the Confederation of the Union of Public Workers (KESK), Democratic People's Party (DEHAP), Women Laborers' Union (EKB) and Human Rights Association (IHD), joined the women of EMEP.
Demonstrations in Bagcilar and Gaziosmanpasa
The demonstration in Istanbul's Bagcilar district took place in a rainy weather. Sevgi Altun made a statement. The women protested the government with applauses. "No to war in Iraq," and "Tayyip, send your son to Iraq," chanted the women.
500 signatures at the parliament
In Gaziosmanpasa, the women marched and chanted against sending troops to Iraq.The demonstration ended after Turkan Al, association's head, read the press statement. Women members of EMEP, Union of Education and Science Workers, Office Workers' Union, and Health and Social Services Workers' Union collected and sent some 500 signatures to the parliament against sending Turkish troops to Iraq. (EO/BB/EA/NM)
