Demolition efforts of the Turkish state have partially started in Sur today. The people are protesting the demolition, carried out under riot police protection like so many invaders. The residents say they won’t leave their homes.
Demolition for some houses that were invaded and some that were abandoned by their owners in Alipaşa and Lalebey neighborhoods in Amed’s Sur district has started as part of an “urban renewal program”. Demolition started in Alipaşa under intense police presence for two abandoned houses. The people rushed to the grounds when news spread that the demolition was to start, and they said: “They are tearing down the homes of our neighbors and relatives who left the neighborhood. Our childhoods, all our lives, have been here. Everything is being destroyed.”
PEOPLE ARE ANGRY
Mesut Altan from the neighborhood said: “They offer us 37-40 thousand liras and demand we abandon our homes.” Altan said they will defend their rights.
Resul Eren said the state is attempting to push the rightholders out of their homes, like invaders. Eren added that they sued TOKİ on the demolition order, but the demolition started before the lawsuit is settled.
Eren said the homeowners in the neighborhood are handed petty cash and attempted to be thrown out on the street: “They are forcing us out of our homes. We are defending our rights. We won’t just leave this place easily.”
