Tekir Discusses Camp Armen Resistance, Future Actions

Sign at the entrance of the Camp reads ”˜Camp Armen has been returned to the Armenian People’ in Turkish (Source: Nor Zartonk)

”˜Turkey is a rich country””when it comes to injustices’

BY RUPEN JANBAZIAN

FROM THE ARMENIAN WEEKLY

Hours after news broke out that Camp Armen would be returned to the Gedikpasha Armenian Evangelical Church Foundation, Sayat Tekir, a member of the Nor Zartonk Armenian movement of Istanbul, spoke to the Armenian Weekly, reflecting on the 175 days activists spent at the Camp, and the group’s plans for the future.

After 175 days of resistance, Camp Armen””the former Armenian summer camp located in the Tuzla district of Istanbul””was returned to the Gedikpasha Armenian Protestant Church Foundation on Oct. 27.

Nor Zartonk had been at the forefront of the campaign to occupy the grounds of the camp since bulldozers arrived to demolish it in early May. Although, there were others who worked behind the scenes to secure the return of the camp, the group’s persistence, outreach, and uninterrupted presence at the camp were crucial in saving it. After weeks of protest, the owner of the campground, Fatih Ulusoy, said he would sign the transfer of the property over to the Gedikpasha Armenian Evangelical Church Foundation in June, but failed to do so until Oct. 27””after 175 days of resistance by activists.

Nor Zartonk’s Sayat Tekir (Source: Nanore Barsoumian)

Rakel Dink told Agos that this was an issue that Hrant had raised since 1996. She thanked all those who supported the struggle, specifically Nor Zartonk. She said even though it was a small step, it was still significant. She noted that there are still many properties that remain confiscated, and she hopes that this will serve as an example. She also noted that the fact that this happened on the centennial of the genocide makes it all the more meaningful. Rakel heads the Hrant Dink Foundation, which was established after the murder of her husband, Agos editor Hrant Dink. Both Hrant and Rakel Dink had called the Camp home.

Upon hearing the news that the deed had been signed over to the Armenian community, the group occupying the camp broke into a traditional shourchbar [Armenian circle dance], but decided to keep celebrations to a minimum out of respect for victims of the recent violence throughout Turkey, said Tekir in a video interview with the Armenian Weekly.

Tekir said that the return of the camp was partly due to the persistence of activists, and the occupation of the camp.  He also thanked all those who supported their efforts in recent months. “On behalf of Nor Zartonk and all those who participated in the resistance, I would like to take this time to thank the media and people who stood by us during the 175-day resistance. To those from Istanbul, Tuzla, and cities around the world: We thank you,”