Protests continue on the 3rd day against the usurpation of Batman Municipality through the appointment of a trustee to replace the democratically elected co-mayors.

Masses gathered at Yılmaz Güney Park, Kültür Neighbourhood and Seyid Bilal Street and started to march in 3 columns with the slogans ‘Trustee get out of Kurdistan’ and ‘We will win by resisting’.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, deposed co-mayors of Batman Municipality Gülistan Sönük and Yeşil Işık, representatives of the Free Women's Movement (TJA), Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and many of civil society organisations took part in the march towards Gülistan Street.

Those who gathered in Kültür Neighbourhood marched with applause, chants and slogans. People in the neighbourhood supported the demonstration with applause.  Arriving at the Basın intersection, the people turned towards the police point and shouted, ‘Evacuate our municipality’.

The other group, who included DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, gathered at Yılmaz Güney Park. More people participated in the march near the meeting point, supported by the people around with victory signs and shouts. When the march reached the meeting point, the slogan ‘Thief trustee’ was chanted in unison.

Those gathering at Seyid Bilal Street included Co-Mayor Gülistan Sönük. A number of residents participated in the march with victory signs, supported by the people  with cheers and applause.

In a short statement at Basın Junction, DEM Party MP Sabahat Erdoğan Sarıtaş said, “As the people of Kurdistan, we will stand up unless this unlawful, dirty decision, which does not recognise the Kurdish people and their will, is withdrawn. We will achieve success through resistance. We are here, we are standing, we will resist. We will surely win.”

Thousands of people at Basın Junction continue to wait, chanting slogans.