May Day message from Can Atalay: 'Whatever March 19 was, our May 1 is the same!'

A message was published on the social media account of Can Atalay, who was convicted in the Gezi Park trial, as part of the May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

In his message, Atalay stated the following:

'Happy May 1st, the "International Day of Unity, Solidarity, and Struggle" for the working class, those who live by their labor, and all of humanity. We are in the squares once again. No matter where we are or under what conditions we find ourselves, our minds and hearts beat in the squares where the demands of labor are raised.

Our demands on May 1, 2025, are the same as our demands in the squares during the March 19 Resistance. We want to end authoritarianism; we want to take a step forward and live in a democratic country. We want to end dual legal standards and arbitrary practices. We want the Constitution, laws, and rules to be applied equally. The reason for the March 19 Resistance is the deep poverty our people are experiencing. Authoritarianism exists so that poverty continues and citizens do not raise their voices. For this reason, whatever March 19 was, our May 1 is the same.

The country's 14-year-old worker children are dying at their workstations. In the words of Nazım, "they come home from work as yellow skeletons." Mines, factories, and all workplaces are death traps. In this country, the cheapest cost item has become the life of a worker. Even by official figures, they are giving their lives for wages below the poverty line. Public officials could only be tried years and years later regarding the deaths of 301 workers in Soma, which happened in plain sight. The case was concluded a few days ago. The result: 10 acquittals, 18 sentences of six months each. What other clearer proof could there be that the life of a worker is disregarded?'

'WE WILL MAKE A PUBLIC-ORIENTED APPROACH THAT PRIORITIZES THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE DOMINANT'

Being "educated" no longer pays off either. Our children who have spent years studying, our trained labor force, let alone being exploited, cannot even join the chain of exploitation. Millions of our young people are sitting at home. They are living in complete hopelessness and without a future. We, those who live by our labor, will put an end to this situation! We will end authoritarianism. Making radical transformations in the lives of workers is possible by reorganizing the economy from top to bottom, starting with public resources. No piecemeal measure can be a remedy for the poverty and future anxiety of those who live by their labor. We will build a social state. We will make a public-oriented approach that prioritizes the well-being of the people dominant.

We will emerge from May 1, 2025, even stronger. We will embrace our "Unity, Solidarity, and Struggle" more tightly. In this beautiful country, we will adorn democracy, social and economic life with its "most glorious dress, the worker's overalls." Long live May 1! Biji Yek Gulan!'

News Source: 12punto