As people started to resist behind the barricades put up by the police in Sur, writer and musician Zülfü Livaneli published a video where he said, “The greatest monument is the human. My heart break for not what has been done to the buildings there, but the people,” and called for support for Sur residents.

As the demolition of Alipaşa and Lalebey neighborhoods confiscated from the people in Sur continue under the guise of “urban transformation”, the police cut off many streets with barriers. No deal has been reached between the TOKİ and the residents, but TOKİ has nonetheless confiscated homes in the district, to be awarded to AKP supporters. Police knocked on every door where the people hadn’t left still, and threatened them to have the houses empty in 2 hours. People started a sit-in by the barricades and said they won’t evacuate their homes and they will resist.

ZÜLFÜ LİVANELİ: LET’S PROTECT SUR

Writer and musician Zülfü Livaneli had been the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO since 1996, but he resigned on May 25, 2016 because “there was hypocrisy in the Istanbul summit while history was being destroyed in Sur”. Livaneli published a video message on the destruction of Sur, and said the following on the significance of Sur: “Sur is very important to me, it has a big place in my life. Because it is a large scale historic artifact. According to UNESCO, all historic monuments should be preserved, but I believe the greatest monument is the human. My heart breaks for not what has been done to the buildings there, but the people. And as you know, I resigned from my duties as the goodwill ambassador in the UNESCO in protest. I never abandoned Sur in my heart. I don’t want anybody who feels responsibility, who feels connected to this country, who feels connected to these lands and the Sur to abandon it either. Let’s protect Sur.”

“OUR DAYS AND NIGHTS ARE RUINED”

One of the residents of Sur Livaneli talks about is Cuma, who has been living in a 2-room home with his family for years, said he has received 15.000 Liras in fines because he is not leaving and that the state has resorted to all kinds of ugly methods to push them out. Cuma said they can’t enter their home now because it is surrounded by barriers and added: “We have lived without water or power for days. I wish Allah’s wrath on those who put us through this. Our days and nights are ruined. We are faced with a constant threat of a raid.”

“WE WON’T EVACUATE OUR HOMES”

Another resident, Saime Tunç, lives in the neighborhood where homes are surrounded by barriers and are to be evacuated. Tunç said they fought hard for their home, and that they won’t evacuate under any circumstances. Tunç pointed to what they went through for months: “We were left without water or power, but we still didn’t abandon our homes. Now they surrounded our homes with barriers and they want us to out. We can’t exit our homes. If we do, they won’t allow us back in. Whatever happens, we won’t abandon our homes. They offer us money. We are not for sale, and we won’t evacuate our homes now.”

URGENT CALL FROM THE PLATFORM

The 'No Demolition in Sur Platform' formed by urban dynamics issued an urgent call on the matter:

“Early in the morning today, the Alipaşa and Lalebey neighborhoods in the Suriçi have been surrounded by barricades and blockaded. We are calling all conscientious groups to stand against this possible devastating demolition. We call on all to gather in front of the Alipaşa neighborhood office at 14.00 and to come to Sur, wherever you are, urgently.”

Journalists covering the developments in Sur have been forced out of the area while people continue to wait.

The mosques and churches in the area were providing water for the residents of the neighborhoods included in the demolition order, but their water has been cut off as well.