Thousands take to the streets on the 102nd anniversary of the Republic: We will build the republic of labor

On the 102nd anniversary of the Republic, thousands of citizens took to the streets in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Eskisehir, Kocaeli, and Antalya at the call of the People's Assembly of Turkey (THTM), declaring, "There is no passage for hostility toward the Republic; we will build the republic of labor together."

THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS CAME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL

In Istanbul, thousands of citizens who said, "We will not allow passage to the enemies of the Republic!" met at Besiktas Square. Artist Gülcan Altan accompanied the gathering with the songs "No Force Can Defeat an Organized People" and the "Mülkiye Anthem." Afterward, actress Senan Kara read Nazım Hikmet's poem "Invitation." 

Making a statement at the gathering, THTM executive board member Aydemir Güler said, "The Republic is something that deserves to be celebrated. But we are not just celebrating a holiday. We need to deserve to celebrate the holiday. Is Turkey a secular country? It is not. The denial of secularism is now being carried into court decisions, and children's minds are being castrated by an education system that denies secularism. Can the Republic remain where there is no secularism? Look at the world; is Turkey an independent country? Those who govern Turkey seek legitimacy on the other side of the Atlantic. Is this what independence is? The Republic is independence. They are destroying the Republic, but another nightmare is emerging before them that they will not be able to destroy. The Republic they are destroying is the one at the state level. But the Republic that the people claim? Whatever they do, they cannot reach it." 

"WE WILL BUILD A REPUBLIC OF LABORERS SO STRONG THAT NO ONE CAN DESTROY IT"

Stating that Turkey is heading toward a reckoning between republicans and enemies of the republic, Güler continued his remarks with the following: "We need an assembly. You are the assembly we speak of. What we call an assembly is built in the streets, in the neighborhood, in the school, in the factory. This country was built this way! We are rebuilding the assembly of the working people. We will build it, and then we will see: Is Turkey a country of those who submit to poverty, or of those who risk everything to seek their rights? Is Turkey a country of those who seek legitimacy in Trump's palace and pledge allegiance to him? Or is it a country of those who want their independence? The answer to this is clear. To give the right answer, we will organize everywhere and send this dark order away! We will build a Republic of laborers so strong that no one can destroy it!" 

THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS MARCHED TO DOLMABAHCE

Following Güler's statement, the crowd marched to Dolmabahce with slogans such as "Down with the sultanate, long live the republic!", "Do not submit, claim your country!", and "For the Republic, long live socialism!" 

At the end of the march, Gökçe Naz Ocak, speaking on behalf of the THTM Youth Initiative, stated: "The place where we stand right now is where, exactly 57 years ago, young people like Deniz Gezmiş set out saying 'the capture of the sun is near,' where the will and struggle against imperialist powers emerged, and where the idea of a fully independent Turkey echoed. In this sense, we declare once again together in front of Dolmabahçe that we, as patriotic youth, are claiming our republic!" 

Ocak concluded her remarks on the resilience and struggle of the youth: "We, the youth, are standing tall and hopeful despite everything. We draw our strength from the struggles we have waged throughout history. Our courage is a legacy from the medical students (Tıbbiyeli Hikmet) who organized protests without bowing to the martial law of British soldiers in occupied Istanbul. Here, we dream of an equal and independent Turkey, just like the 'Deniz's' who threw the 6th Fleet into the sea. And we say that this youth has no country to leave to capital, to reactionism, or to the owners of this order!"

THOUSANDS MARCHED IN THE CAPITAL

Citizens who gathered on Dikmen Street in Ankara marched to Ahmed Arif Park on Sokullu Street, accompanied by slogans of "Down with the sultanate, long live the republic." The event, which continued in the park, began with folk songs by bards Nurgül Ateş and Sadık Doğan. Afterward, THTM Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Oğuz Oyan took the podium and saluted the public gatherings taking place all across Turkey.

"THE UNITY OF REPUBLICANS WILL CRUSH THESE PARASITES"

In his speech, Oyan said, "We are here; we are gathering in defiance of the enemies of the Republic. We are together against those who yearn for the Ottoman era and those who want to turn enlightenment into darkness. We are here to protect the values of the Republic."

Stating that the THTM is organized around three fundamental principles, Oyan defined them as follows: "The struggle for secularism and enlightenment, anti-US/NATO sentiment, and the determination to transform the Republic into a republic of labor and laborers. This is what will get Turkey back on its feet."

Touching upon the government's policies of pressure and tyranny, Oyan said, "This government has turned the judiciary into a stick; it uses RTÜK and the TMSF to silence the media. But there is no looting here! There is no passage for the enemies of the Republic or those who admire the Ottoman era! The unity of the Republicans will crush these parasites, these fascists."

"WE ARE ESTABLISHING PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLIES IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD"

Speaking at the event, THTM founding member Ali Somel emphasized that the true owners of the Republic are the working people. In his speech, Somel stated, "Those who speak in the name of the Republic today are compromising with the anti-secular cult order and anti-people capital. We, however, are taking root in every locality and every neighborhood to establish people's assemblies."

Highlighting the work THTM has been carrying out for two years, Somel said, "We started in Hatay, which was devastated by the earthquake; we continued in Cigli, Kartal, and Mamak. And today, we are declaring the establishment of the People's Assembly of Turkey in Dikmen."

Along with the gathering in Ankara, the People's Assembly of Turkey announced that it would hold simultaneous events in Antalya, Eskisehir, Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Canakkale, and Milas, Mugla, in honor of the October 29 Republic Day.

SABAHAT AKKIRAZ SANG FOLK SONGS

The event, which brought together thousands of Ankara residents, concluded after folk songs performed by Sabahat Akkiraz.

MASS MARCH IN IZMIR

In Izmir, the statement on behalf of the hundreds who marched to Bornova Republic Square was delivered by THTM Executive Board Member and Çiğli HTM Spokesperson Emel Diril.

Emel Diril, who delivered the statement during the march, said: "The Republic enters its 102nd year under heavy attacks. Throughout the nearly quarter-century rule of the counter-revolutionary AKP, we have seen the confrontation intensify, the values of the Republic liquidated one by one, and the idea of the Republic targeted for destruction. Today, we have a message from this square to the enemies of the Republic: We will never let you pass. We will send the enemies of the Republic to the dustbin of history."

Our Republic is being trampled under the rule of holding companies and religious sects, sold out to imperialism, and subjected to unlimited looting operations. Today, Turkey's resources are being mobilized for the interests of imperialist countries and multinational monopolies. We will rid ourselves of the AKP, its sects, the capitalist class it represents, and the imperialist gangs it collaborates with! You cannot seek legitimacy at another door and take over the idea of the Republic! You cannot govern this country this way," she stated.

The march was also attended by Eğitim-İş Branches 1, 2, and 4, the General Health-İş Izmir Branch, the Association for Supporting Contemporary Living (ÇYDD) Izmir Branch, the New Generation Village Institutes Association, ÇÖYDER, and the All-Retired Union Bornova Branch. 

"WE WILL BRING THIS ORDER DOWN ON YOUR HEADS"

Emel Diril concluded her remarks by saying, "We draw strength from our history. We draw strength from our working class and laborers who create life. We draw strength from the women and students who struggle. We draw strength from the journalists and press workers who do not remain silent and who shout the truth. And after 102 years, we say 'Republic' once again! For an independent and sovereign country, for a statist and planned economy, and for a secular and social order, we will bring this order down on your heads to raise the Republic up again! We promise."

Following Emel Diril's statement, Sinan Kurşun and Erkan Çabuk took the stage. The duo performed the songs "Ciao Bella," "Freedom," "Walnut Tree," and "We Shall See Beautiful Days." The program continued with a zeybek dance performance by Onur İstek.

CITIZENS IN ESKISEHIR SAID "WE WILL RAISE THE REPUBLIC UP AGAIN"

Citizens who gathered in front of the Kanatlı Shopping Mall in Eskisehir marched to the front of the Espark Shopping Mall with slogans such as "Down with tyranny, long live the Republic" and "This country is ours, we will not leave it to bigots and fascists." Ergin Kurşun, who made a statement during the march, said, "We are here to uphold the revolutionary legacy of the Republic. We have bad news for the enemies of the Republic: We will never let you pass! We know how this country was founded. We know what kind of struggle our people waged under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal. We know what our people can do when they believe. We will teach you too: we will send the enemies of the Republic to the dustbin of history." 

Kursun concluded her remarks by saying, "The Republic is for women. Every day, women are murdered by their ex-husbands, and those responsible just watch. The Republic is for children. There is an attempt to shorten the duration of education. Our children will either become cheap labor for capital or disciples for religious sects! There is no such thing! We will tear down this order over the heads of the holdings and sects, and we will raise the Republic up again."

"THE REPUBLIC LIVES IN THE STRUGGLE OF THOSE WHO PROTECT IT"

Citizens who gathered at Antalya's Kapali Yol began their march with slogans such as 'An equal, free, and fully independent Turkey' and 'Down with the sultanate, long live the Republic.' THTM Antalya delegate Erdem Güner delivered the statement on behalf of the hundreds who marched to Attalos Square. 

In his statement during the march, Erdem Güner said, "We are witnessing new attempts every day to officially dismantle the Republic, which has already been left in ruins. The Republic lives in the minds, hearts, and struggles of the masses who protect it." 

Guner added, "Today, we are in a living space. We are among people who breathe, who protect their historical gains, and who fight. We are in a square where our hope is refreshed and our anger is strengthened. On the 102nd anniversary of October 29, we have gathered as the heirs of this great revolutionary participation. We sincerely thank all our people who participated."

"WE BELIEVE, WE KNOW WE WILL SUCCEED"

In Kocaeli, the meeting point was in front of the Belediye İşhanı. Hundreds of citizens began their march accompanied by slogans of "Down with the Sultanate, Long Live the Republic" and "An Equal, Free, and Fully Independent Turkey." The THTM Student Initiative and student groups from Kocaeli University joined the march with banners and placards reading "Republic." 

Citizens marching to Human Rights Park were greeted by a welcoming speech from Bedriye Yildizeli, former head of the Kocaeli branch of TUM-BEL-SEN. Asking, "Did we not win the right to vote and be elected with the Republic? Did we not ensure equality, regardless of whether one is a peasant or a city dweller, with the Republic? Did we not win the right to health, the right to education, and the right to equality for women with the Republic?" Yildizeli received an enthusiastic response from the citizens when she asked if they were ready to protect the Republic. 

Following this, Nagihan Özcan, one of the THTM Kocaeli representatives, took the floor. Ozcan's speech, in which she stated, "We are witnessing new attempts every day to officially dismantle the Republic, which has already been left in ruins in practice. The Republic lives on in the minds, hearts, and struggles of the masses who defend it," was frequently supported by slogans and applause. 

Continuing her remarks by saying, "We will build the republic of labor together! We believe in this, and we know we will succeed. Because we trust our people and our country," the THTM representative concluded her speech by declaring, "For an independent and sovereign country, a statist, planned economy, and a secular social order, to get the Republic back on its feet, we will bring this order down on your heads. We promise!"

News Source: 12punto