February 18, 2007

People living in the poor neighborhood of Dikmen Valley celebrated a year of resistance against home demolitions ordered by the mayor Melih Gökçek and his organized rent mafia waiting for a windfall of profits from destroying resident’s homes.

The celebrations were well attended by many trade organizations, trade
unions, progressive associations, left political parties.

The resistance against home demolitions has become the symbol of peoples struggle for a healthy urban planning and the basic demand for shelter in the country.

Last year was spent with actions of the people which included lantern-torch marches to the rich neighborhoods, demonstrations in front of the ruling JDP (Justice and Development Party) and preventing the demolition crews from leveling peoples’ residences.

At 1:00PM, the massive participants gathered in front of the local government offices in the country’s capital, Ankara, where the reading of a press release took place. Those who spoke representing their association or unions expressed their support of the people, and their opposition against the capitalist rent system. They also expressed their support for humane living conditions in a healthy and progressive urban living.

The celebration also took place in the Dikmen Valley where representatives of the women, youth and children of the Valley spoke of their experiences and the living conditions. The mayor was condemned for calling the residents “an organization” having connotations to a “terrorist organization.” Speaking children expressed the hardship they experience everyday on their way to school.

After political party and progressive associations spoke in support of the people, the music group Günyüzü gave a free concert to the participants.