MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Mêrdin (Mardin)- On October 4, 2024, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs removed the elected co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), from office and appointed trustees in their place. Since then, politicians, activists, NGOs and international organizations have released statements condemning the removal of the elected mayors. In Mardin, people have been holding a vigil in front of the municipal building to protest the attack on their will.

The women of Mardin call on everyone not to remain silent against this unlawful practice.

‘This city and this municipality are ours’

Emine Aydoğan is one of the women going in front of the municipal building early in the morning to defend their will. “We have been here since the early morning. We do not recognize this decision ignoring our will. We voted and elected our mayors. I call on all mothers to join our sit-in protest in front of the municipal building. This city and this municipality are ours. They (the government) try to steal our municipalities. When we protest this, we are beaten. They attack the people defending their will. We will defend our municipality and our will whatever the consequences. We do not recognize this usurpation, even if they kill us all.”

‘We will not give up our rights’

Zübeyde Gül, another woman joining the vigil in front of the municipal building, called on the Kurdish people to defend their will. “We are here to defend our will. We demand our rights and will not give up our rights. They (the government) attack the Kurdish people and Rojava whenever they are in trouble. We are Kurds and will not give up our right to vote and be elected. We will not leave here until we take back our rights.”

‘People must fight for their usurped municipalities’

Müjde Aykal reminded that the elected mayors had been removed from office twice before. “They have removed the elected mayors from office for the third time (since 2016). We will resist as we resisted before. We are not afraid and we will keep struggling for our will whatever the consequences. We will hold our vigil until we take back our municipality. They will never intimidate us or make us take a step back.  All we demand is the end of this unlawful practice. People must fight for their usurped municipalities. Together, we must respond to this mindset that appoints trustees to the municipalities early in the morning, like thieves.”