Turkey solidarity protest

1,000 people from the Turkish and Kurdish communities in London gathered in Trafalgar square on 11 March before spontaneously marching to parliament.

This was in protest at the death of Berkin Elvan, the 14 year old boy who fell into a coma last year during the Gezi Park movement.

There was a minute’s silence for Berkin, who had been out buying bread when police fired a gas canister at him, which hit him on his head.

He lay in a coma for 269 days before losing his battle for life. The silence was also dedicated to Bob Crow.

A speaker from Haringey Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition spoke, urging workers to take Turkish and Kurdish people’s lead and carry on the fight against cuts and attacks. The crowd then chanted “Stand up Turkey, London is with you”.

Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) activists took part in the protest. We highlighted that young people everywhere have their lies destroyed by police violence, poverty and austerity.

Capitalism has shown it can offer no future for young people. That’s why YFJ and other groups such as Day-Mer Youth organise and work with young people to fight for a decent future, decent jobs, services and free education.

Youth Fight for Jobs members