Families of young people killed in Gezi join the Justice March in Turkey
UĞUR ŞAHİN
ugursahin@birgun.net / @uugurs
Families of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, Berkin Elvan, Ethem Sarısülük, and Ahmet Atakan – four of the eight young people who werekilled by police during Gezi protests – joined the chair of main opposition CHP, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and thousands of others on the 13th day of the Justice March.
Having been seeking justice since the Gezi Park Protests of 2013, the families expressed their demand for justice for everyone.
Father of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, Şahap Korkmaz: ‘I am representing my son here today. I have always been proud of him. And, I’m here for justice and human rights in the face of inequalities. We want justice, too! And, I greet Nuriye and Semih… I hope, their wish comes true and they get their jobs back. Nuriye had always given support to us since the day Ali İsmail Korkmaz was battered. And, we are going to do for her what is necessary!!
Ali İsmail's father, Şahap Korkmaz
Mother of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, Emel Korkmaz: ‘We were first going to come wearing Ali İsmail’s t-shirt but it is such a heavy burden for us – as parents – to have that shirt on. We are here for Ali İsmail and for all of our other children. Justice is needed for all!’
Father of Berkin Elvan, Sami Elvan: ‘We have been seeking justice for four years. Berkin is not going to come back but we have millions of Berkins. I’ve joined the Justice March for all of our children to live and for their future. Everyone needs to get equal treatment in this country. Our demand is law and justice; nothing else!’
Berkin's father, Sami Elvan
Mother of Berkin Elvan, Gülsüm Elvan: ‘Justice March has been delayed; this is something that had to be done before! It is not bearable anymore! Injustices are countless nowadays! They (authorities) shot Kemal Kurkut by saying he had a bomb on and it turned out he had a book in his bag! They shot Sıla Abalay by saying she was a member of terrorist organization; then, they said it was a mistake. How many of them (such incidents) can we talk about? Enough! I have been on the streets (demanding justice) for the past four years and I am going to do so ‘till the end!’
Brother of Ethmen Sarısülük, İkrar Sarısülük: ‘Gezi protests were the turning point of this country. We lost our loves ones. Turkey’s main opposition party launched this march after seeing so many injustices. We needed to support it (the march) and we’ve done so since the first day. And, we are going to continue our support. We do not seek justice only because we’ve lost our loved ones. We are marching for all to live in justice and for no other person to go through what we’ve been through!’
Ethem's brother, İkrar Sarısülük
Mother of Ahmet Atakan, Emsal Atakan: ‘We want justice. Those who have face injustice are seeking justice! My son was killed four years ago. The prime minister of the time (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) said: ‘I gave the order!’ And, my son’s murderers are also known but they are not being tried. Each day passes by in sorrow for us. We have been searching for justice but it turns out that it has been bought (by authorities)! But justice will one day also be necessary for those who are running the country today. Everyone here has a story of pain (related to injustices)… From here, I also demand for Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who are at death’s door, to be returned to their jobs. They are about to die and my heart really aches for them, too. We are not going to give up on our demand for justice.’
Ahmet's mother, Emsal Atakan
Injured protestor, Okan Göçer: ‘I was shot from 10 meters away (during Gezi protests). I was in a coma for 10 months. But there has been no progress in my case for the past four years. This Justice March is not something to disdain. It is being carried out for all seeking justice…’
Front-page article of BirGün published on 28 June 2017, Wednesday with the title of ‘It is no longer bearable’
Source: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/gezi-nin-aileleri-adalet-icin-yurudu-167010.html