Commemorating the 301 miners: Can Atalay's 'Özgür Özel' message for Soma

Can Atalay, who was elected as a member of parliament from the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) but had his rights stripped and his parliamentary status revoked, and who is currently imprisoned in Silivri Prison, shared a post on X on the anniversary of the Soma mine disaster.

In his post, Can Atalay drew attention to Özgür Özel's struggle during the Soma disaster and used the following expressions:

"I WANT TO ADDRESS THE PRIMARY HEROES OF THIS PATH"

“Exactly 10 years ago, 301 mine workers died in SOMA! Babies who were in their mothers' wombs in those days have now reached the age of 10 without ever seeing their fathers in SOMA. Children who were 10 years old in other cities of our country are now in their 20s. The technological developments they were born into cannot convince them that the death of 301 workers in SOMA or another mine could not have been prevented. It is known that we cannot convince them by explaining that a worker's life was seen as less valuable than the cost of a simple control device, that the company that won the tender through the 'more and more' system forced workers to race against time, or that production was made impossible to pause despite signs of 'heating' etc. On the 10th anniversary of the SOMA mine massacre, I primarily want to address the primary heroes of this path; those spouses, those siblings, those mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters;

"THE EYES AND EARS OF ALL OF TURKEY WERE HERE"

From here, from Silivri, I consider it a duty to thank those laborers, those long-suffering people once again: I send my greetings and love to Aunt Elmas, Sister Gülfidan, Gülten, Uncle Şaban, Uncle Şerafettin, Grandma Senem, Mother Seniha, the late Grandpa Ali, Mother Seher and Uncle İsmail, my brother Ergül, Uncle Durmuş, my sister Aliye, Uncle Bayram, Mother Havva, Grandpa Salih, Uncle Hüseyin, Uncle Davut, Mother Menekşe, my sister Vesile, Betül and Furkan, Nermin and Berkan, Umut, Hakan and Efe. I want it to be known that our persistence and determination will not diminish. So, what was different in Soma in 2014 that the struggle for justice for the 301 workers is still so current despite 10 long years passing? Soma happened while the social impact of Gezi was still very much alive. The rights and law of the worker resonated not only in our neighborhoods but at the very center of the social formation. The eyes and ears of all of Turkey were here, its pulse beat here.

"ÖZGÜR ÖZEL ALSO ALWAYS SAID 'JUSTICE'"

It is true that lawyers acted proactively within this social climate. The efforts of labor and democracy forces, along with a handful of rights defenders, were also important. In the midst of scarcity, they worked day and night to organize the struggle for justice, village by village, day by day. They turned a deaf ear to meaningless debates like who Soma voted for, knowing that their own salvation and the country's path to prosperity were only possible by delivering the rights of our working class, and they did everything they could. Perhaps SOMA entered the agenda of all opposition parties... But I would like to specifically mention one member of parliament among this handful of people. This MP turned a deaf ear to the whispers from left and right; while he could have just touched it with his fingertips, he supported the families seeking justice with both hands... He became a comrade to us lawyers with a 'special' effort... Yes, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also always said justice.

"A BRIGHT PATH HAS OPENED FROM SOMA TO TURKEY'S FUTURE"

Yes, and the families... 301 workers were spouses, siblings, children, and fathers... The spouses, siblings, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters of the 301 workers, despite everything, without bowing to anything, said justice not only for their dead but also for our future generations. And with its shortcomings and flaws; despite all the lies, tricks, games, pressure, and threats, a new path was opened with that 'precedent' before our working class and all our citizens... The path that started with Soma is a struggle to elevate the life and rights of the citizen to the highest level they deserve, not only for our dead but also for future generations, from Aladağ to Sakarya Hendek and Çorlu. A bright path has opened from Soma to Turkey's future. We are each and all of us responsible for keeping this path open under any circumstances, and we are aware of our responsibility. Endless thanks to all the laborers who opened this path... Greetings from Silivri. The first greeting is eternal. Şerafettin Can Atalay, Hatay MP, Silivri No. 9 A-47”

Exactly 10 years ago, 301 mine workers died in SOMA!

Babies who were in their mothers' wombs in those days have now reached the age of 10 without ever seeing their fathers in SOMA. Children who were 10 years old in other cities of our country are now in their 20s.

The technological developments they were born into in SOMA... pic.twitter.com/1ByWh4bOln

— can atalay (@CanAtalay1) May 13, 2024