Commemoration events were held in many cities for 103 people lost their lives in Ankara Massacre

On 10 October 2015, one of Turkey’s biggest massacres in recent history took place. 103 people who died in the massacre, committed by ISIS, are commemorated every year in many cities.

Commemoration events were held in many cities for those who lost their lives in the Ankara Station Massacre on 10 October 2015. In the statements, it was emphasized that the anger will not cease and the struggle will continue until all those responsible for the massacre, who neglected their duties, who gave way to the massacre and gave orders are tried and received the punishment they deserve.

Just like other years, the state and government officials did not participate in the commemoration outside Ankara Train Station, where the massacre took place, and the police attacked the participating families and survivors, 11 people were detained and the gathering was banned.

Despite all obstacles, commemorations took place in many cities including Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Manisa, Balıkesir, Kayseri, Adana, Eskisehir, Diyarbakir and Canakkale.

Police prevented anyone from marching to Ankara Train Station for the memorial event and detained many people from youth organisations. The pandemic was also used as an excuse to prevent families from attending.

On the 5th anniversary of the massacre, families wishing to commemorate their loved ones were not allowed. The families, those who were wounded in the attack, political parties, trade unions and professional organisations instead condemned the attack at a gathering at Ulus Underground Station.

At the 'Labour, Democracy and Peace' rally on October 10, 2015, 103 people were killed and hundreds were injured in the attack by ISIS. The anniversaries of the massacre have repeatedly encountered bans and obstacles. Despite this, the families of those who lost their lives, the survivors, trade unions, professional associations and political parties still came together on the 5th anniversary. The crowd gathered in Ulus Underground Station were prevented from marching to Ankara Train Station. The police intervened with youth organisations preparing to attend the march in the morning and detained 11 people.

EMEP [Labour Party] Deputy Chairwoman Şükran Doğan, CHP [Republican People's Party] MPs Murat Emir and Ali Haydar Hakverdi, and HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] MPs Oya Ersoy and Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki also participated in the commemoration in Ankara.

While an announcement was made by the police about the dispersal of the crowd, the slogans “The murderer state will be held accountable” and “Don't forget October 10” were chanted. Police responded by telling the families “Don't be fooled by the provocateurs within you” but the families shouted back “Don't forget October 10”.

The police claimed that the crowd had committed a crime because they blocked the road. The families who could not go to the main square by Ankara Train Station shouted the names of those who died in the massacre one by one to commemorate them by the Ulus Underground exit.

After the commemoration event, those attending were warned to disperse from outside the Ankara Courthouse by being ordered not to walk collectively, but instead one-by-one. After a short tension between the crowd and the police, the police chief told officers “Do not pity them, intervene directly when you hear any shouting”. (EVRENSEL DAILY)