A bizarre defense from Gebze Municipality: 'They practically raided the book fair under the guise of animal advocacy'

Kocaeli’s Gebze district continues to see reactions following the killing of 43 animals on October 11 with a drug called "Keta-Control".

Animal rights advocates held a demonstration yesterday (October 18) at the Gebze Book Fair, which was organized by the Gebze Municipality.

The group, which included non-governmental organizations and artists, demanded the resignation of Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz.

Following the killing of the animals, many publishing houses such as Metis Kitap, Ayrıntı Yayınları, İthaki Yayınları, and Can Yayınları had announced their withdrawal from the fair.

SLOGANS ATTEMPTED TO BE DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC

In the statement made in front of the municipality, it was pointed out that no action had been taken against those responsible for the animal massacre, and the municipality's accusations against animal rights advocates were rejected.

While similar statements were made at the book fair, citizens were called upon to check the shelters in their respective regions. During the protest, attempts were made to drown out the slogans with music; however, the protest continued in front of the fair.

STATEMENT FROM THE MUNICIPALITY

Gebze Municipality, in its statement, characterized the action of the animal rights advocates as a "raid".

"And they did this too. They practically raided our book fair under the guise of so-called animal advocacy. With their vandalism, they shook the hearts of our children present at the fair. They upset our children, whom we are trying to raise as true animal lovers and for whom we have mobilized all our resources to protect from stray animals.

"They have shown once again that they are a threat to books, culture, order, children, people, and animals. We condemn them."

News Source: 12punto