Protests against 'Azmanbüs' continue in the Princes' Islands

IETT's decision to bring the minibus known as "Azmanbüs" to Büyükada, despite all objections and protests from residents of Istanbul's islands, has led to protests that continued into their third day.

Gathering early in the morning at Büyükada's Çınar Square, island residents held signs reading "We want justice," "Don't insist on the Azmanbüs, don't exhaust our patience," and "Let's remain pedestrian for future generations."

The Princes' Islands Civil Initiative stated the following in their announcement:

"We are determined to block these 'monster' minibuses, which are contrary to the nature, geographical, historical, cultural, and social characteristics of the Islands, as well as their current official status. We will follow the process to ensure that those who impose these vehicles against the will of the people and the law are held accountable one by one before the law. The Princes' Islands Municipality, as the elected representative of the islanders, must stand with the people of the Islands and openly support this rightful struggle, preventing these vehicles from operating within the district's borders. The entirety of the Islands is a natural, urban, and archaeological protected area and is under legal protection. Any decision or action contrary to the current conservation board decisions constitutes a crime. We would like to inform the public here that our lawyers have begun working to file criminal complaints against all public institutions and public officials who do not implement the current conservation board decisions. Put an end to this lawlessness and disregard for rules happening on our islands!"

ISLANDERS HAD SAID THEY DID NOT WANT THEM

Regarding these minibuses, which will damage the historical, cultural, and natural fabric of the Islands, the Princes' Islands Civil Initiative and island residents had previously held a protest yesterday, calling out to IMM and IETT officials once again to say, 'we do not want these monster minibuses.'

Between May 20-22, the Princes' Islands Municipality submitted 1,386 objection petitions to the IMM and IETT regarding the minibuses brought to the Islands. The Princes' Islands Civil Initiative had previously collected over 4,500 wet-signature petitions against the minibuses on the island. However, these signatures went unanswered.

IT WAS SAID THAT VEHICLES WOULD NOT OPERATE WITHOUT PUBLIC CONSENT

At a public meeting held in Büyükada on June 1, islanders stated that they would not accept the imposition of the minibuses. At the meeting, IETT General Manager İrfan Demet said that the vehicles would not be operated without the knowledge and consent of the public and initiated the process for organizing the Princes' Islands Municipality Transportation Workshop.

According to the decisions taken at the meeting, IETT vehicles would not begin service until the matter was discussed by IETT's higher boards, and islanders would be informed at every stage of the process.

However, despite these decisions and the workshop preparations, IETT announced that they would begin minibus services on June 15. During the press statement, a call was made for the resignation of İrfan Demet for acting contrary to the negotiations and the workshop process.

News Source: 12punto