ANKARA - Koray Türkay, who survived the Suruç Massacre injured, said: "They tried to destroy our will in Suruç. However, the dream of the 33's common struggle against capitalist modernity is growing day by day."

 

It has been 7 years since the massacre of young people who came together as part of the "We defended together Kobane, we will rebuild Kobane" campaign launched under the leadership of the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF) for the reconstruction of the Northern and Eastern Syrian city of Kobanê. The young people who gathered in front of the Amara Cultural Center in the Suruç district of Urfa on July 20, 2015, with the toys, books and food they collected, were killed when an ISIS suicide bomber. 33 people died in the massacre and more than 100 people were injured. 33 separate stories and their fighting spirit remained from them.

 

For 7 years, the struggle for justice has been waged by the families and friends of the injured survivors of the massacre and the young people who lost their lives. Those who are united around the call "Justice for Suruç, justice for all" want perpetrators to be found both in courtrooms and on the streets.

 

Yasin Can and Koray Türkay, who were injured in the massacre, spoke about what happened 7 years ago and their struggle for justice.

 

CAN: WE WERE GOING FOR THE REVOLUTION

 

Stating that he saw the campaign on social media and decided to be involved, Yasin Can said: "The reason we went to Suruç was to build a bridge and support the revolution. We were going to get the hands of the children of Gezi and the children of Kobanê to reach each other. But the goal of ISIS and those who support them was to hinder our goal. We was very excited on the day we set off for Suruç, We danced halay every time we took a break on the road. We were going to a place where the revolution was being built. We used to say, 'Kobanê is the stronghold of honor for the whole world' and we were going there."

 

Reminding that they were searched by the police when they entered the city, Can said: "I didn't know what they were looking for, but we only had children's toys, books and food. We had aid that we would take to Kobanê. They knew this too, but nevertheless, they approached us with a hostile attitude. Afterwards, we came to the garden of Amara Cultural Center and had breakfast. There wasn't much for breakfast but we were happy because of the work we did.”

 

POLICE TEAR GASSED THE TO WOUNDED WHILE BODIES OF OUR FRIENDS WERE ON THE GROUND

 

Pointing out that they had gathered to make a statement, Can said: "Fortunately, most of our friends were not in the garden of the cultural center that day. We were 300-400 people. If all of them had been in the garden, the number of martyrs would have been higher. After the suicide bombing, the police who came to the area teargassed the wounded. Bodiesof our friends were on the ground, our blood was flowing,  the police intended to kill us."

 

'THE PERPETRATORS OF THE MASSACRE SHOULD BE HELD TO ACCOUNT'

 

Pointing out that in addition to the AKP, the governorship and the Ministry of Interior were also responsible for the massacre, Can said: “They need to be held to account. The prime minister of the time was Ahmet Davutoğlu who firsthand responsible for the massacre. He should be held to account as well.This is our demand from the court since day one. But all our requests are denied. They don't listen to us. This case is a black mark for the future and law of the Turkish state.”

 

'YOUTH WILL SUCCEED'

 

Recalling the words “Kobanê will fall” used by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about Kobanê at that time, Can emphasized that the peoples showed Erdoğan that Kobanê did not fall and said: "There was a revolution just miles away from us. What would the youth do if they did not embrace this revolution? Young people can change the situation of Turkey. We will do whatever we can for this, we will fight and we will succeed.”

 

TÜRKAY: KURDS WON A VICTORY AGAINST ISIS

 

Stating that he saw the injustices faced by the Kurds better with what happened at that time, Koray Türkay, another injured survivor of the massacre, said: "I witnessed Turkey opening its borders to ISIS and supporting the attacks against Kobanê. The Kurdish people won a victory there against ISIS. After this victory, I wanted to help when I heard a call to rebuild Kobanê. SGDF's campaign was very meaningful for me. In order to motivate the children in Kobanê, I wanted to take my gymnastic equipment there and give the children to make them happy. Solidarity was the most important need of the Kurdish people resisting the ISIS invasion. I saw how strong the extent of solidarity can be in Suruç.”

 

'I COULDN'T LOOK AT THE BODIES ON THE GROUND'

 

Expressing that they did not expect to be faced with such an attack on July 20, Türkay said: "We were prepared for the police attack, but none of us even thought of the suicide bomber. When the suicide bomber exploded, I was injured. I forced myself not to sleep. When I stood up, the place was full of bodies lying on the ground, and I couldn't look at the bodies on the ground. Then I was transferred to Urfa Hospital. My heart stopped twice there, but the doctors brought me back to life."

 

'THEY TRIED TO BOMB AND IDEA'

 

Türkay said: "The aim of the massacre was not just killing us. They wanted to destroy our will and bomb an idea. However, the dreams of our friends came to life in Turkey and Kurdistan. Solidarity is growing. The massacres of Amed, Suruç and Ankara were the result of Erdogan's threats. Turkey cannot democratize before the perpetrators of these massacres are punished. All of them. We paid a great price for a democratic Turkey. We lost 33 young people. Their families are still grieving for their children and they always will. We have nothing to lose. Therefore, those behind this massacre should be afraid.”

 

MA / Fırat Can Arslan