Women in Ankara were following the example of their comrades in Istanbul who staged a “Watch for Peace” demonstration in Kadikoy. Representatives from the women’s action in Istanbul joined those in Ankara for the peace march To stand in solidarity with the Kurdish village of Cizre under siege by the Turkish police and miitary, women […]
Women in Ankara were following the example of their comrades in Istanbul who staged a “Watch for Peace” demonstration in Kadikoy. Representatives from the women’s action in Istanbul joined those in Ankara for the peace march
To stand in solidarity with the Kurdish village of Cizre under siege by the Turkish police and miitary, women in Ankara, the country’s capital, marched to the National Assembly. Carrying their white scarfs painted with messages of peace, women planned to hang the scarfs on the gates of the Assambly. The police barricaded the road trying to prevent the women from approaching. However, women pushed back to force their way to the gates.
Women in Ankara were following the example of their comrades in Istanbul who staged a “Watch for Peace” demonstration in Kadikoy. Representatives from the women’s action in Istanbul joined those in Ankara for the peace march.
Yasemin Goksu, speaking on behalf of the women’s movement said, “Our diversity is our strength. We are standing together with our brothers and sisters. We reject the language of war and hatred while joining our demand for living freely and equally on a common ground with all peoples. We demand an end to war and a restart of the Peace Process, a series of talks between the Turkish state and the Kurdish people. We demand a peace with equality and dignity.”
After Goksu, the white scarfs with women’s messages of peace from every corner of the world were laid on the ground. The project of scarfs for peace was started by Fior Uluk to raise consciousness about the plight of Kurds and women in the hands of the Turkish state. Uluk said her solidarity action had been going on for years and would continue until a peace is reached.
Women then started writing their own messages on the white scarfs that they had brought to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Singing songs of peace and solidarity they continued their action of solidarity despite a downpour of rain. Police did not allow them to tie the scarfs on the gates of the National Assembly.
Forcing their way through the police barricade women finally reached the Statue of Human Rights and tied their scarfs on the statue.
Sendika.Org News (Mehmet Bayram)
