The sit-in in Amed has been held for 13 days despite the harassment by police and it has been promoted to draw attention to the hunger strike resistance demanding the end of isolation against Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan. 

On Monday, once again mothers wishing to meet in Koşuyolu Park in Bağlar, in Amed were harassed by the police. HDP Amed deputies Saliha Aydeniz, Remziye Tosun and Semra Guzel joined the action. 

The police blocked the mothers with armored vehicles. Mothers reacted to the police and walked towards the building of the Prisoners’ families association, TUAY-DER and read a press statement. 

Today is us, tomorrow it could be you

Sezen Kayhan, elder sister of Şafii Kayhan who is on death fast since 10 May in Patnos Prison, said: “Our hearts are burning. We can't stay at home. We are out on the streets during the month of Ramadan. My brother's body is being consumed. Today isolation is imposed on all Kurdish people. Tomorrow it could be imposed on everyone else. We've been in the streets for so many days. Is anybody hearing us? If you don’t speak out for us today, nobody will speak out for you tomorrow. If you don't care about us today, nobody will care about you tomorrow. We are saying that nobody should die. For this we are on the streets every day. We want a solution. End isolation.”

Lice

In Lice prisoners’ mothers met on 15 July Democracy Park for the 8th day of their sit-in. Mothers wearing white headscarves chanted slogans about Leyla Güven and in solidarity with the hunger strikers. 

Necla Güzel, mother of Hasan Umut Güzel, who has been on hunger strike since 1 March in Karabuk T Type Closed Prison, said: “Everyone should join our struggle. Lice should be the beginning of the resistance. Lice should lead this resistance.”

Necla Güzel added: “People should put their hand on their conscience. No one can sit comfortable. We will not give up the struggle for our sons and daughters. We want peace.” 

Şehnaz Polat, mother of Mehmet Şirin Polat, who has also been on hunger strike in Diyarbakır D Type Prison since 1 March underlined that the hunger strike and death fast resistance is at a critical stage. Speaking about the conditions of prisoners on hunger strike she said: “They don’t recognise us anymore. They are so weak, they are in a very bad condition, but I am proud of their struggle. Our sons and daughters are defending life with their rightful struggle. We are just asking for peace. Leyla Güven is a mother and she doesn't want death. We are the people who defend life, we have no other demand than freedom. We demand the end of isolation.”