JINHA

ISTANBUL – As hundreds of women in Istanbul protested the arrest of Diyarbakır co-mayor Gültan Kışanak, HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) general co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ said that they would make purple flags the symbols of women’s resistance in Diyarbakır. Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, the co-speaker of the HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress), said in her speech: “You can’t make women bow down. Our women’s resistance has begun.”

Hundreds of women gathered in Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square to protest the arrest of Diyarbakır co-mayors Gültan Kışanak and Fırat Anlı with the slogan, “We call on all women to take up resistance against oppression and to stand up for their will.” HDP and HDK women politicians joined the action. Members of a range of women’s groups gathered behind a sign reading, “Gültan Kışanak is our will; women are standing up for their will.” The women carried signs depicting women elected representatives resisting tanks and police after the raid on the Diyarbakır municipality. Police surrounded the area, searching the women who entered.

KJA (Congress of Free Women) Istanbul speaker Şafak Anlı gave the opening speech at the event condemning the attacks on women. Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, the co-speaker of the HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress), said that the AKP was doing its utmost to repress the opposition even while talking about “democracy” in the wake of the July 15 attempted coup.

“Gultan Kışanak is not just a mayor. She is a woman who used her body and her willpower to defeat darkness in the prisons of the September 12, 1980 coup. She is proof of Kurdish women’s bravery. She is the continuation of the power of women’s freedom,” said Gülistan in her speech. “You can’t make women bow down; our women’s resistance has begun.”

HDP general co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ spoke next, calling the arrests of Fırat and Gülistan a coup against the popular will.

“But facing them are women who did not give in to coups. We have overcome many coups through our resistance,” said Figen.

In her speech, Figen called attention to the fact that Gültan was arrested the same day she spoke out in the commission on the coup in Ankara to say, “It is you who are the putschists! We will not give in.” She concluded by saying that they would make the purple flag the symbol of women’s willpower and representation in Diyarbakır.

After a speech by HDP provincial organization representation Muazzez Töre, police attempted to attack the gathered women, who responded with slogans and ululations.

(ekip/mg/cm)