In Ümraniye’s Topağacı Neighborhood, the resistance of citizens who wanted to be evicted from their homes on the grounds of urban transformation was met with a police attack.
In the morning, while the residents of the neighborhood protested against the cutting off of their electricity, water and natural gas, Sevgi Aydoğan was beaten and detained in handcuffs for resisting in the house where she lives with her four children. In a press statement organized in the evening, Aydoğan described her experiences and said, “I am not leaving my house, I will continue to resist.”
“We are not giving up our right to shelter. We will win by resisting” banner and wanted to march. DEM Party MP Kezban Konukçu supported the protest and the police intervened. However, the citizens lit up the streets with phone flashlights and continued their march.
At least three people were detained in the police attack. While a fire broke out in a house due to irregular cutting, the neighborhood could not intervene as the water was cut off. A detained citizen stated that he was detained with reverse handcuffs because he said, “You cannot cut anything without a lawyer present.”
Neighborhood residents drew attention to the inadequacy of the rent support and said that the support of 8 thousand liras was not enough against rents of up to 20 thousand liras. They also emphasized that in the past, they were made to sign a consent letter instead of a notary agreement, and that people signed under pressure.
The neighborhood residents said, “İsmet Yıldırım will take us into account. We will not let our houses be demolished” and announced that they will continue their struggle and keep vigil until morning.
August 21, 2025
Sendika.org / Evrensel