Police actions, turned into police brutality, were ordered by the Prime Minister Erdogan in order to suppress the Gezi Park protestors in June 2013 in Istanbul. These protests spread to all corners of Turkey, especially to the large cities of Ankara and Izmir because Turkish people had had enough of the Government’s backward and autocratic policies over the years.

Six young people had died, including 1 policeman as illegal use of water cannons, tear gas and sheer beatings employed by the police force. Following these tragic events, to everyone’s dismay, Prime Minister announced the achievements of his police force and called them his ‘ heroes’!

Berkin’s recent death and the accumulating injustices for loss of lives and for their families, including the illegal detentions and continuous harassment of thousands of innocent people have sparked of a more determined effort and protests by Turkish people all over the country. This has now culminated in two further deaths in the last 3 days.

We are determined to demand justice for the loss of innocent lives, thousands of injured individuals, some with loss of sight and long term disability and for the illegal detainment of lawyers, doctors and journalists besides many others. We demand that the government resigns and the responsible officials are brought to justice. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR AN ISLAMOFACIST GOVERNMENT IN TURKISH SOCIETY.

Turkish Community groups in London (ASUK, AKM, TGB and KTC) have organised this vigil and protest in order to show our solidarity and support with our sisters and brothers in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and in all corners of Turkey. We are with them in this honourable and necessary struggle. 

The ones who are responsible for Berkin’s and others deaths show no mercy or compassion and should not get away with their crimes. We want to bring to your attention that these politicians are still in power and continue to rule over Turkish people.