MERSİN - Those resisting the appointment of trustees to the Akdeniz Municipality said, “If democratization is desired, these policies must end. We will not give up our will.” 

 

Reactions against the appointment of a trustee to Mersin's Akdeniz Municipality under the administration of Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) continue. Citizens who reacted to the trustee decision during the 6th day of the vigil in front of Akdeniz Municipality stated that the trusteeship practice must end in order to ensure democratization. 

 

Education and Science Laborers' Union (Eğitim Sen) Mersin Branch Chair Mahmut Sümbül, one of the participants of the vigil, said, “Those who come by election should leave by election.” Sümbül stated that they do not accept the trustee decision and called for the release of the co-mayors and council members.

 

'TRUSTEE MEANS MISOGYNY'

 

Metin İnce, Co-Chair of Çukurova Association for Assistance to Families of Prisoners and Detainees (Çukurova TUAY-DER), said that the will of the people has been usurped once again and said, “We do not want a trustee. The municipality is ours, this is usurpation. Our municipality is under siege. We are here until our friends, co-mayors and council members are released. The Kurdish people must protect their will. The isolation of our leader (Öcalan) and in prisons continues. The solution process is being talked about, peace is being talked about, but trustees are being appointed. We do not accept this situation. They are not sincere in the solution, they do not speak the right way. Kurdish people are ready, but they are not.”  

 

Çiğdem Serin, Women's Secretary of Halkevleri, pointed to the link between trustee policies and misogyny and said, “For women, trustee means misogyny.” 

 

'ACCUSATIONS ARE FALSE'

 

Harun Encü, a shopkeeper in Akdeniz district, said, “A trustee was appointed to our municipality again today, we do not accept this trustee. The accusations against our co-mayors are all lies. We will continue to resist and continue our protests. We will not stop our protests. Every honorable Kurd must be here, must not give up the resistance. Akdeniz Municipality is ours. We will not give up the resistance. Kurdish youth must protect their will. They must defend their will, their municipality.”