The Federation of Democratic Student Associations (DÖDEF) has issued a statement declaring 6 December to be a day when the struggle against the "presence of police on campus" is launched. Four years ago, on 6 December 2009, Dicle University student Aydın Erdem was killed by a police bullet while attending a protest against the closing down of the DTP (Democratic Society Party). The DÖDEF published a statement on the anniversary of his death, calling for 6 December to mark the start of a struggle against the presence of police in universities, drawing attention to the fact that despite Prime Minister Erdogan's claim that "the youth are experiencing their freest period" the reality is that there is an environment of oppression at universities.

Struggle inspired by the Spirit of '68

The statement emphasised that oppression has increased in universities, adding: "The only way to commemorate Aydın Erdem, Şerzan Kurt, Ali İsmail Korkmaz and many other victims of police brutality is to wage a determined struggle against their murderers. We therefore call on all associations affiliated to our federation to organise protest marches under the slogan 'With the Spirit of '68 we shall rid the universities of the police' and turn 6 December into a day of struggle."