Ahmet Atakan Protests, Gas Bombs Spread Across Turkey

Tensions climbed in the southern province of Hatay as police attacked those who attended the funeral of Ahmet Atakan - a METU Resistance protestor who died during a demonstration on Monday night. 

Following the funeral ceremony, police vehicles amplified announcements to attendees, urging them to “break up” immediately. Briefly after, police attacked demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons. 

Breaking up to side streets, demonstrators started assembling and setting up barricades in Armutlu neighborhood. According to online sources, several items including couches were used in barricades. 

Severely injured due to police violence, protestor Aycan Karaalioğlu was hospitalized and transferred to OR. Humane Solidarity Platform member Ferit Meynioğlu was hospitalized in Akdeniz Hospital due to gas bomb canister. The platform released a statement, saying that Meynioğlu’s situation is OK. 

Izmir

Around 8:40 pm local time, crowds arrived in Basmane Square to demonstrate for Ahmet Atakan. Police warned protestors to break up. While some protestors responded with throwing eggs at TOMAs in Konak municipality building, police intervention came with tear gas bombs and water cannon. 

Several people were reportedly affected by tear gas with some fainting. 

Around 9:45 pm local time, police attacked protestors again in Kordon, blocking Vasıf Çınar Boiulevard with barricades. Clashes resumed throughout the night. 

Ankara

*Photo credit: Serhat Korkmaz.

Police attacked protestors in Güvenpark with tear gas bombs and water cannons through TOMAs. The crowd dispersed towards Ziya Gökalp direction. Interventions resumed in side streets. Some protestors responded police gas bombs with fireworks. 

Zonguldak

After hearing Ahmet Atakan’s death, a group 70 protestors assembled at Miner Statute, having a moment of silence. Following a press statement, the group broke three light bulbs [symbol of ruling AKP]. Later on, the crowd marched towards Governor’s Office. Tensions climbed occasionally between protestors and police as some protestors attempted to block the road. The crowd dispersed by themselves after cheering slogans in front of Governor’s Office. 

Eskişehir

Hundreds of people assembled in front of Espark Mall, marching towards Sıhhiye Square with slogans. Some protestors attempted to block the traffic. Other lied down on railways. Neighborhood dwellers supported protestors with making sounds with pot and pans. Protests occasionally slowed down the High Speed Train (YHT) schedule, some delaying passengers were  transferred with shuttles. 

Antep

Hundreds of demonstrators affiliated with EMEP, ÖDP, CHP, DİSK, YSGP and LGBTT organizations organized a march in downtown Antep province to protest the death of Ahmet Atakan. The group made a press statement and held a 10 min sit-in protest. 

Çanakkale

Hundreds of protestors assembled in Özgürlük Park to commemorate Ahmet Atakan and protest the state terror. The group marched towards the headquarters of AKP. Police attacked demonstrators with gas bombs in front of the headquarters, detaining several people.  

Mersin

Around 7 pm local time, a protest has been held to protest Ahmet Atakan’s death. Police detained 4 protestors including SDP Mersin administrator Devrim Ali Avcu. Several injuries were reported. 

Antalya

TOMA reportedly sprayed an orange fluid at protest in Çallı neighborhood.

(EKN/AS/BK/BM)

* bianet compiled this article from various news agencies and websites. 

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.