In Batman, a demonstration for the strengthening of Kurdish national unity was attacked by police with tear gas and water cannons. The police used particularly violent force against members of parliament and peace mothers.
Using water cannons and tear gas, Turkish police in Batman province took brutal action to break up a demonstration to promote Kurdish national unity. The crackdown resulted in targeted attacks by security forces on smaller groups on the fringes of the demonstration. The attacks focused primarily on members of parliament as well as activists from the Peace Mothers Initiative. While several women were forcibly arrested, the exact number was initially unclear.
The demonstration was organized by an alliance of the HDP, its sister party DBP, civil society association DTK and the Free Women's Movement (TJA). Among those taking part were figures such as DBP leaders Saliha Aydeniz and Keskin Bayındır, DTK co-chair Berdan Öztürk and HDP deputy Dersim Dağ. Cameras from press present were able to capture that the 24-year-old politician was also in the group that was beaten and kicked by security forces.
Despite massive police violence, the demonstration moved to the headquarters of the HDP provincial association. A public statement is to be made here later today. The meeting had actually been scheduled to take place in the central city park. Since the police cordoned off all access points, the rally site had to be changed.
