Killed During Gezi, Ethem Sarısülük Commemorated After Police Intervention

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

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The police intervened against the group who wanted to commemorate Ethem Sarısülük, who was killed by a police bullet during Gezi.

Gathering at Güvenpark in the capital city of Ankara yesterday (June 1), the group attempted to make a statement in memory of Ethem Sarısülük, who lost his life in the city during Gezi in 2013.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency, the point where Sarısülük was shot to death was blockaded by riot police and police barricades. Searching the ones who came for the commemoration, the police did not allow them to enter the site with the banners and flags they had with them.

The group reacted against the police and a brawl ensued between them. Several people, including representatives of non-governmental organizations, were detained. The lawyers at the scene of incident have indicated that at least 15 people were taken into custody.

'They are encouraged by our lack of organization'

Managing to pass the barricades following a body search, the group gathered at the spot where Sarısülük was shot. The commemoration was attended by Sayfi Sarısülük, the mother of Ethem Sarısülük, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Taking the floor at the commemoration ceremony, Kazım Bayraktar, the attorney of Sarısülük case, said, "Resistance has been spreading in waves; one ends, the other begins" and added:

"We have to turn our hopes into getting organized as they are encouraged by our lack of organization. We have to organize. Sarısülük and the ones massacred in Gezi can be kept alive by getting organized."

'You cannot silence the masses'

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Ali Kenanoğlu also condemned the police intervention before the ceremony and briefly said:

"The people who have come together here today despite this pressure shows that the objection raised in Gezi resistance still continues. Don't forget that you will not manage to silence these masses seeking after freedom, rights and justice. You also see that you cannot silence these people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for that end."

'What was done to Floyd done here everyday'

Addressing the group at the ceremony, HDP Adana MP Tülay Hatimoğulları also said, "While we were trying to come here from the other side of the street, police battered dozens of our friends. These are the reflections of fascism's footsteps on the streets."

Hatimoğulları briefly stated the following:

"Look, just recently, the police massacred our brother Ali in Adana, they massacred a Syrian refugee brother of ours who fled the war in his country and pinned his hopes on Turkey.

"Today, our brother Barış [Çakan] was also massacred in Ankara. There are various statements about this death. But we know that he was stabbed to death because he was Kurdish.

"The mentality of the ones who appoint trustees to municipalities, those who try to build an authoritarian regime, a sultanate in this country is the same as the mentality that intervened against our commemoration today. What was done to Floyd in the US is done in this country each and every day." (EKN/SD)