2000 People Came Together for Peace

The 2,000 people who gathered at the Lutfi Kirdar Culture and Congress Center opposed "a possible United States (U.S.) attack on Iraq," and demanded that Turkey does not support this war. They called on Ankara, "to become the capital city of peace." The Peace Initiative organized the event.

Businesspeople, architects, engineers, dentists, writers, workers, teachers, academicians, journalists, tradesmen, unemployed, retired, chemists, doctors, villagers, students, artists and lawyers, came together for peace at the "Hundreds Gathering."

Representatives from 20 different professions, read statements prepared by the joint efforts of 100 colleagues. The statements listed the reasons why they opposed a war. The group representatives then prepared a joint anti-war communiqué.

"I am a war widow"

Peace activists from the U.S., Sweden, England, Yugoslavia, Germany, Italy and Greece attended the "Hundreds Gathering."

The activists gave a speech before the meeting and emphasized the importance of spending effort for peace in the world. "Turkey can prevent a war if it wants to," they said.

Roya Rotem, a representative from the "Bat Shalom Women Peace Organization," one of the founders of the "War Widows' Action," and the Israeli member of the "Women in Black," gave a speech at the gathering. "We know what the war means," she said. "I am a war widow." Rotem stressed the importance of opposing a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.

"Don't hate Americans"

Ryan Amundson, who lost a brother during the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, and founded the "September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows" organization, began his speech by saying, "Please don't hate Americans."

"This is a war by the weapons traders in the U.S.," said Amundson. "If you want to help the Americans, continue spending effort for peace in Turkey."

"A different world is possible"

Following speeches by international peace activists, the representatives from different professions read their statements.

"Mr. Bush, did you ever die before?"

"Hey, Mr. Bush, did you ever die?," asked Hifzi Topuz, on behalf of the journalists. "Do you know what death or suffering is?" Topuz also reminded that the U.S. President Bush might have to give an account one day for committing war crimes.

Rifat Yuzbasioglu, representing the dentists, said the fundamental task of all health care personnel was to fight against all factors that make people ill, injure them, leave them disabled or cause their death. "War is the oldest cause of illnesses and death, in humanity," he added.

"Curse by Writers is Eternal"

Adalet Agaoglu read a peace communiqué by the writers. "They should know that as soon as they commit these pre-known homicides, we will curse them till eternity and a curse by writers is eternal."

Abbas Caga, representing the workers stressed that a war would deepen the economic crisis in Turkey and talked about the economic losses Turkey suffered because of the Gulf War.

Halit Baker, the Kirklareli representative of the KOY-KOOP said, "We, the grandchildren of villagers who died in distant wars in distant countries, say 'yes' to peace."

"We cannot look in the face of our students"

Saniye Denli, representing the teachers, said war violated human rights and freedoms. "Will our children, whom we taught to love, share and produce, kill without hesitation, other children who have been taught by their own teachers to love, share and produce? Those children who have been brought up with so much pain?" Denli asked.

"If we do not oppose this war today, we will not be able to carry on with our profession with faith and look in the face of our students without being ashamed," said Prof. Dr. Ulku Azrak, talking on behalf of the academicians. "This is why we are here today, to say 'no' to war."

"Who will you listen to if you don't listen to this voice"

Aydin Engin, the spokesman for the Peace Initiative gave a speech after tradesmen, unemployed, retired, chemists, doctors, students, artists, and lawyers read their anti-war communiqué. "The 'Hundreds Gathering' represents the productive, creative, leading, and the thinking side of Turkey. Who will you listen to in Turkey and in the world if you don't listen to this voice?" asked Engin.

Ankara - capital city of peace

After the presentations, the statement by representatives of 20 professions was announced.

The statement, read by Macide Tanir said:

"If we don't say 'no' to this war today, no matter what, all the people, countries, institutions will be held responsible by the next generations. But if we can get all the pro-peace forces together, we can win a historic victory over this war. We, the Hundreds Gathering, on behalf of our country, are calling on all the related institutions in the world. Let Ankara become the capital of peace." (BB/EA/NM)