Solidarity Events with Roma People are Organized
Roma people struggle with the problems caused by discrimination, poverty and social exclusion in all European countries. The realization of social equality, social and economic justice is a common demand of all European Roma people beyond national borders. A Europe where Roma people cannot participate in social life as equal citizens will never be able to fully realize the ideal of democracy.
In Turkey, discrimination, poverty and social exclusion are among the biggest obstacles to Roma people's participation in social life as equal citizens. Roma people, who have difficulty accessing basic citizenship rights in the areas of education, employment, housing and health, have been pushed into deeper poverty and exclusion as a result of urban transformation policies implemented in recent years. Urban transformation does not only tear down walls. Urban transformation destroys people, life and culture! It is unacceptable for Roma people to be removed from their neighborhoods with increasing rent value and thrown out of cities. This situation, which has been happening for years before everyone's eyes, is a great injustice that hurts consciences.
Let's meet at the Solidarity Events with Roma on October 31-November 1 to stand in solidarity with all Roma who are victims of discrimination, racism, poverty and social exclusion all over Europe and in Turkey, and to put a stop to the destruction caused by urban transformation that has been taking place before everyone's eyes for years!
» The events are free and open to everyone who is interested.
» For the program, please click…
For contact: Gonca Şahin, 0534-281 5659
Important note: Since our space is limited, we recommend that those who want to participate in the program pre-register. Click for the pre-registration form…
Organizing institutions:
Zero Discrimination Association
Stop Racism and Nationalism Platform (StopDe)
European Grassroots Antiracist Movement (EGAM)
Supporting institutions:
Akhisar Roma Center Federation (Manisa)
Edirne Roma Associations Federation (Edirne)
Adana Roma Solidarity and Culture Association (Adana)
Dikili Roma Association (İzmir)
Diyarbakır Roma and Dom Youth Culture Association (Diyarbakır)
Dom Tribe Culture Research, Development, Social Solidarity and Solidarity Association (Hatay)
Edirne Roma Education Volunteers Association (Edirne)
Education Development and Global Fight Against Discrimination Association (EGKAM) – (İstanbul)
Gaziantep Drummers and Zurna Players Solidarity and Solidarity Association (Gaziantep)
Gaziantep Martyr Kamil Tribes Solidarity and Assistance Culture Association (Gaziantep)
Istanbul Bilgi University Performing Arts Students and Talin Büyükkürkçiyan
Kilis Şehit Kamil Tribes Solidarity and Assistance Culture Association (Kilis)
Cultural Research and Solidarity Association – LOMDER (Artvin)
Sulukule Children’s Art Workshop
Tire Roma Association – TİROMDER (İzmir)
Roma Solidarity Activities Program
Friday, October 31, 2014
Cezayir Restaurant Meeting Hall
18:00-18:15
» Opening
Elmas Arus (Zero Discrimination Association Board of Directors Chair)
Levent Şensever (Say No to Racism and Nationalism Platform)
18:15-18:45
» Documentary Screening:
Küçükbakkalköy (2006)
Director: Belgin Cengiz
Canım Sulukule.. (2010)
Director: Nejla Osseiran
18.45-19.00 Break
19.00-20.15
» Panel: Urban Transformation Projects and Novels
» Moderator: Başak Akkan (Boğaziçi University Social Policy Forum)
» Speakers:
Şadi Çatı (Sarıgöl/Gaziosmanpaşa Neighborhood-activist)
Şükrü Pündük (Sulukule Romani Culture Development and Solidarity Association President)
Belgin Cengiz (Director-activist)
Nejla Osseiran (Director-activist)
20.15-20.30 Question & Answer
November 1, 2014, Saturday
Tünel Square and Taksim Gönen Hotel
15:00-15:30
» Open Air Event – Performance
(Sulukule Youth Orchestra, Istanbul Bilgi University Performing Arts Students and Talin Büyükkürkçiyan)
Location: Tünel Square
18:00-19:30
» Panel: Roma and Access to Education Rights
Location: Taksim Gönen Hotel
» Moderator: Funda Oral (Sulukule Children’s Art Workshop)
» Speakers:
Turan Şallı (Edirne Roma Education Volunteers Association President)
Soner Durmuş (Cultural Research and Solidarity Association – LOMDER)
Aytaç Kayacık (Mimar Sinan University, student)
Bahattin Turnalı (Kuştepe Neighborhood, student)
Asil Koç (Tahribad-ı Member of the Rebellion Music Group, student)
19.30-20.00
» Music Performance: Tahribad-ı Rebellion and Sulukule Children's Workshop Rap Students
» Addresses:
Taksim Gönen Hotel: Aydede Street, No:15, Talimhane, Taksim – Istanbul
Cezayir Restaurant: Hayriye Street, No:16, Beyoğlu – Istanbul (In the street behind Galatasaray High School)
