Police barricade against journalists in Kadıköy: 'Barricades for gangs, not the press!'

BirGün reporter İsmail Arı, DW Türkçe reporter Alican Uludağ, and journalist-author Merdan Yanardağ, who were arrested, were supported by a crowd that gathered at Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Park despite the heavy rain. In addition to numerous media workers, unemployed journalists, and democratic mass organizations, TKP, CHP, SOL Parti, TİP, and EMEP also supported the action.

The crowd wanted to march from Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Park towards the Rıhtım (pier) with slogans such as "Freedom for İsmail, Merdan, and Alican", "Free press cannot be silenced" and "Barricades for gangs, not the press", but the road was closed by police barricades.

"THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST OURS, IT IS THE COUNTRY'S PROBLEM"

In the statement read by birgun.net Publication Coordinator Berkant Gültekin under police blockade, it was emphasized that journalism is under heavy siege. The following statements stood out in the declaration:

"Today, we will not talk to you about statistics or our news. We have shed light on corruption, gangs, and abuse. Now we have a major problem, and this problem is actually the country's problem. We are being made to pay the price for journalism because we did not surrender. İsmail Arı was detained and arrested while visiting family for the holiday. We do not accept these unlawful acts."

The statement also expressed that accusations such as "spreading misleading information to the public" and "insulting the President" are used as weapons, and that journalists are arrested on the grounds of "flight risk" even though their whereabouts are known. The journalists demonstrated their determination by saying, "We are aware of what might happen to us, but we will continue to write. Because we are not afraid."

IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS SENT MESSAGES FROM PRISON

During the action, messages from journalists behind bars were also read:

Merdan Yanardağ (Silivri): "They want to drag Turkey into a reactionary dictatorship. By silencing the independent media, they want to neutralize those who stand in the way of this course. But they will not succeed. This picture is the fear of those who commit crimes against the people."

Alican Uludağ (Silivri): "The imprisonment of a journalist is the closing of the people's eyes and ears. Those who prepare a file in a day do not write the indictment and turn detention into a punishment. Our path is the path of Uğur Mumcu; in the end, journalism will win."

İsmail Arı (Sincan): "I am imprisoned only because I did journalism. I was targeted because I wrote about corruption and reported on child abuse. Those who keep me in prison are committing a crime. I ask you to grow this struggle."

At the end of the press statement, the demands were listed as follows: All imprisoned journalists must be released as soon as possible. Pressure on press freedom must end. Arbitrary punishment practices must be abandoned. We want freedom for journalism and democracy for the country!

Mustafa Büyüksipahi

News Source: Mustafa Büyüksipahi