Those Who Lost Their Lives in October 10 Massacre Commemorated

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Three years have passed since the October 10 massacre, which was carried out in the capital city of Ankara in 2015 and claimed the lives of 103 people and wounded more than 500 others. The relatives of the ones who lost their lives in the massacre, those who were injured and the ones who want to denounce the massacre have gathered in front of the Ankara Train Station.

While all main and linking roads leading to the station were closed by the police, the Anti-Riot Water Cannon Vehicles (TOMA) and riot police forces were also referred to the area as of early morning hours today (October 10).

The commemoration was attended by Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Sezai Temelli, Chair of Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Arzu Çerkezoğlu, MPs of the HDP and the Republican People's Party (CHP) as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations.

Those who attended the commemoration opened a banner, which read, "Peace, democracy and freedom will definitely, but definitely, come to this country."

In the beginning, the riot police forces stated that only the wounded and the relatives of the deceased, whose names were indicated on the list that they had, would be allowed to enter the site of commemoration.

In the meantime, the police attacked the crowd with shields.

CHP MP Murat Emir shared the commotion, which arose between the groups and the police and where one person was battered, on his social media account with the statement:

"There is no toleration even for the mourning of sorrows."

Acıların yasına dahi tahammül yok.. #10EkimAnkaraKatliamı pic.twitter.com/v3qWjhzd0X

— Murat Emir (@muratemirchp) 10 Ekim 2018

Upon the reaction of the people, the police permitted people to enter the site.

The statement of commemoration was read out by DİSK Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu on behalf of the groups who were carrying the photographs of the deceased in their hands.

Here are some of the highlights from the statement:

"At the third anniversary of the massacre that occurred in front of the Ankara Train Station on October 10, 2015, we are commemorating all of our friends that we have lost with respect and longing. To our Labor, Peace and Democracy Meeting, which was held with the participation of tens of thousands of people from all parts of Turkey with the slogan 'Just to spite war, peace right now' with the aim of putting an end to violence and conflict, the dark circles feeding on war answered with a massacre.

"103 of our friends, whose hearts were filled with humanity and longing for freedom, lost their lives. Almost 500 of our friends were wounded.

"The sorrow of this big massacre has been continuing to burn our hearts. Our sorrow as well as our rage are still fresh. Our riot has been gradually growing since the real murderers have been walking freely on the street.

"Until the day, when the real murderers are identified and the real justice is done, we vow not to give a break, not to step back and not to be intimidated. We will not forgive, we will not forget and we will not let it be forgotten." (EMK/SD)

* Photographs: Ali Haydar Çelebi