The resistance that started in Halfeti district of Urfa against the usurpation of will and replacement of elected co-mayors by a trustee continued on its 18th day. A large number of people gathered in front of the blockaded municipality building. The group, including DEM Party Urfa MP Ferit Şenyaşar, Halfeti Municipality Co-Mayors Mehmet Karayılan and Saniye Bayram and DEM Party Council members were blocked by the police with barriers.
The police officers, who did not allow the people into the municipality building without any justification, brazenly said ‘you can file a criminal complaint if you want’, relying on the policies of impunity. In response to the reactions of the people, the police officers said that there was no authority on the issue and that they were assigned to protect the trustee from the people.
Denouncing the arbitrary practices, Halfeti Co-Mayor Mehmet Karayılan drew attention to the lawlessness and warned that ‘you will need this law too’. “Not only the will of the people has been usurped. This is an occupation. We do not accept this occupation. Not only the people but also the municipality employees cannot get in. The usurpers are even afraid of their own officers,” Karayılan said.
Karayılan stressed that they were elected by the people and cannot be forced to leave by a trustee. He continued: “You fear that your irregularities will be exposed. You are afraid. We are children of the same neighbourhood. It is clear where we are from. Where are you from, the trustee? You're trying to govern Halfeti. Go and do your job. If you have some conscience, don't accept this oppression, but you don't have such a conscience.”
Halfeti Municipality Co-Mayor Saniye Bayram said that they are being prevented from providing services to the people. Noting that they would continue their struggle, Bayram said, “They sold everything and now it is the turn of our houses. They will sell our houses too. No one should accept this and protect their will. The municipality cannot be managed behind these barriers. We came with an election. We did not do injustice to anyone. If there is another election, we will win again. This is an occupation. We do not accept this occupation. Our people should protect everything they have.”
The crowd started a sit-in protest, after which they staged a march with slogans in the district centre.