22 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in Gazi neighbourhood in Sultangazi district of Istanbul, on March 12, 1995. The massacre was protested during a march attended by thousands of people on its 26th anniversary. Masses gathered at Gazi Cemevi (Alevi place of worship) following the call of the United Fighting Forces (BMG) and the 12 March Platform, and marched to the old police station under police blockade.

'PEOPLE WILL PUNISH THE MURDERERS'

Speaking on behalf of the 12 March Platform, Erkan Şimşek, the brother of Dilek Şimşek who was murdered, said; "The massacre was directed against all peoples. The killers disappeared with no punishment, but the anger of Gazi pervaded its streets every year. Tens of people were killed in this place where we are standing now and hundreds were injured. However, the murderers were not punished. Not the government but the people will punish the murderers."

PRISON RESISTANCE PRAISED

Şimşek emphasized that their search for justice will continue. He continued: "Currently, dozens of journalists and politicians are in prison due to their resistance against injustice. The search for justice and peace continues with the hunger strikes in prisons which is an honor. Today marked the 106th day of the prison resistance. Moreover, journalists and politicians are kept in prisons unlawfully despite the decisions of the ECtHR. The country has no survival problem; the government itself has turned into a problem of survival for the country."

The crowd then marched to the Gazi Cemetery and remembered the victims by their graves.