Helin was protesting the pressures of the Turkish government on the musicians. Every single concert or event the musicians was to perform has been banned by the government in the last few years. When banning their performances was not enough, the government raided the music and cultural center of the group where they were teaching music to children. The police broke the doors, chairs and every single musical instrument, including the piano. The books were thrown on the ground and the book shelves were broken by the cops. When even this wasn’t enough, the Turkish government fabricated an accusation that the group members were terrorists and arrested them.
Musician Helen Bölek of Grup Yorum has lost her life fighting for freedom and justice after 288 days in hunger strike.
The musicians of Grup Yorum have been under constant Turkish government attack for their message of love, solidarity, freedom, and brotherhood of all peoples of the world.
Protesting the group members’ constant arrests, beating, accusations with trumped up charges and accusations of being a terrorist by the Turkish state, Grup Yorum musicians had started a hunger strike that later turned into a “Hunger till death” resistance against the fascism in Turkey.
Helin’s body was brought to the cemevi in Armutlu, the religious center for Alevis that Helin was a member of.
Helin was protesting the pressures of the Turkish government on the musicians. Every single concert or event the musicians was to perform has been banned by the government in the last few years. When banning their performances was not enough, the government raided the music and cultural center of the group where they were teaching music to children. The police broke the doors, chairs and every single musical instrument, including the piano. The books were thrown on the ground and the book shelves were broken by the cops. When even this wasn’t enough, the Turkish government fabricated an accusation that the group members were terrorists and arrested them.
Helin was released as her case against charges of terrorism is still active.
Sendika.org news (M.B.)
