We Have Lost ‘Eylem’, the Companion to Protesters in Taksim
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Having accompanied protesters and marched side by side with them at demonstrations in Taksim especially during Gezi Resistance and May 1 protests, street dog Eylem has lost his life after being hit by a vehicle.
12-year-old Eylem, whose name means "demonstration" in English, used to march alongside the protesters, be exposed to pepper gas, bark and run after police cars. The dog was named Eylem by the protesters.
It was on May 1, 2015 when Eylem was photographed being fended off by a police officer while trying to approach a May Day protester who was forced to lay on the ground by the police in Taksim.
As reported by Fırat Alkaç from the daily Hürriyet, street dog Eylem, who was a symbol of Taksim, was hit by a vehicle. The people of the neighborhood informed the Beyoğlu Municipality Veterinary Affairs Directorate; however, Eylem has lost its life. Necat Gül, the owner of a store in Taksim, said, "It recently had problems with its feet. It had difficulties in walking. We have heard that it has died, we are very sorry."
Several social media posts have been shared in memory of Eylem:
Taksim'in sevilen köpeği Eylem, bir şoförün dikkatsizliği yüzünden hayatını kaybetmiş. 1 Mayıs anmaları, Onur yürüyüşleri ve Gezi'nin destekçisi Eylem'i belediye çalışanları gömmek için götürmüş.
— Gamze Uysal (@GuGamzee) 6 Temmuz 2019
Bu halk desteğini unutmayacak pic.twitter.com/maLpQIXazd
"The beloved dog of Taksim Eylem has lost its life due to the carelessness of a driver. Municipality personnel have taken Eylem, the supporter of May Day commemorations, pride parades and Gezi, to burry. This people will not forget your support."
Gezi eylemlerinin efsane ismi "eylem köpek" taksimde bir aracın çarpması sonucu hayatını kaybetti. pic.twitter.com/3ideb7J6l8
— sokak kedisi (@denizseckin) 6 Temmuz 2019
"The legendary figure of Gezi protests "Eylem dog" has lost its life after being hit by a vehicle in Taksim." (AÖ/SD)