Upon a midnight order from Turkish Ministry of Interior, the metropolitan municipalities of Amed, Van and Mardin, run by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), were seized by the AKP regime with through replacement of the elected mayors with governors of the mentioned cities on August 19.

Following the suspension of the mayors, police forces laid a siege on the three municipalities and launched a crackdown against HDP members and people who took to the streets in protest at the unlawful seizure of their municipalities. Protests continue in the three cities to reclaim the municipalities since.

VAN

The Democracy Vigil held in Van continued with the participation of HDP deputies, politicians, civil society organizations, mothers and members of the women’s movements.

At today’s protest spoke the mayor of Kars, Ayhan Bilgen. The HDP politician spoke on the importance of the Paris Commune in 1871 and explained the co-presidential system practiced in his party, saying that this was a minimum of what is necessary. Bilgen stressed that women accounted for half of the world's population and need to be involved in all decision-making mechanisms.

MARDİN

The Democracy Vigil in Mardin continued in front of the HDP headquarters under police siege. Speaking here, HDP MP Ebru Günay stated that their struggle would continue until the municipalities are handed over to their rightful owners.