Conscientious Objectors and Total Objectors Pilau Day
Back to:Mehmet loves Bariş* Documentation: Conscientious objection in Turkey
Today (5th of Sep.) about 70 people met in "Consciencious Objectors and Total Objectors Pilau Day" activity at Danistay Park nearby Militaryhouse in Ankara-Sihhiye. Except a bus full of activists from Istanbul, there were also participants from Ankara, Izmir, Izmit, Denizli, Iskenderun, Germany, Israel and Slovenia.
The most tragic event was two friends' of ours having a traffic accident on the way to Ankara from Zonguldak to join the action.
We have learned that our friends had some bruises and broken bones; after taking medical treatment for a while both were discharged from hospital.
Meeting at Ankara Train Station at about 11 am, the group drew attention of civilian uncles [cops]. Following some talks we have had opportunity to make a release in Danistay Park. On the way civilian uncles did not leave us alone. At about 12:00 arriving the park we have seen that it was circled with 3 midibus full of cops [çevik kuvvet-agile force; a specific police force which is used against social protests]. Despite this we have entered the park and ate the pilau together while Mehmet Tarhan was reading the press release text. At first they did not let us to open "Consciencious Objectors and Total Objectors Pilau Day" banner but telling this is only the call of the activity it was hold open. The action finished right after Inci read the declaration text in the name of five of our physically handicapped friends and Levont Duranyan read his own objection declaration.
During the action there were some rumors about that cops were intended to arrest few people, however they have only noted ID info of those who have read the declarations. After the action, civilian dressed uncles followed us for a while and then they have finished up their working hours. The group that came from Istanbul went back by their bus after a few hours of resting.
Among the interesting details of the day there were the park guard who did aggressive warnings about not stepping on the grass and flowers of the park and also vegans' not eating pilau that was made by consommé.
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