Dersim Municipality co-mayor Birsen Orhan was replaced by a government-appointed trustee. She said: “They occupied Dersim in 1938. Today they are occupying our municipality. They are invaders! We call for struggle.”
The Dersim municipality, governed by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Pulur (Ovacık) governed by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) were usurped by the government through the appointment of trustees.
Addressing those waiting in front of the municipality, Dersim Municipality co-mayor Birsen Orhan, pointed to the police and said: "These are invaders! Just as they occupied Dersim in 1938, they have occupied our municipalities today. Come with us, let’s fight together. Come, stand up to them, let’s fight together."
The people of Dersim flocked to the front of the municipality building. The people, who pressed on the police barricades, chanted the slogans, "Get out of Dersim, occupying forces."
Speaking here, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Dersim MP Ayten Kordu reacted by saying: "A trustee was appointed to the municipality against the will of the people. We will not accept the trustee. We will never bow down, we will not swear allegiance."
The people continue to gather in front of the municipality with slogans such as "We will win by resisting."
