Activists at Istanbul’s former Armenian summer camp attacked

PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists occupying the grounds of Camp Armen, the former Armenian summer camp located in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, Turkey, were attacked on the hundredth day of their live-in demonstration.

The Armenian Weekly reports that according to a statement released by the Armenian Nor Zartonk movement of Istanbul, two activists were attacked and beaten with sticks.

The attack took place on the night of Thursday, Aug 13, at around 11:30 pm, according to the statement.

“This attack, which is a manifestation of a genocidal mentality, cannot break our resolve. We publicly announce today that we will continue our struggle with the same determination,” read a part of the statement, which also called on the public to stand in solidarity with protesters.

Armenian member of Turkey’s Parliament Garo Paylan of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) tweeted that some of the activists sustained injuries, and urged the public for support. Soon after the attack, the Nor Zartonk movement shared a photo of a group of activists with the caption “Racist/Fascist attacks will not intimidate us.”

The Nor Zartonk Armenian movement of Istanbul has led a campaign to occupy the grounds of the camp since bulldozers arrived to demolish it in early May. After weeks of protest, the current owner of the campground, Fatih Ulusoy, said he would sign the transfer of the property over to the Gedikpaşa Armenian Evangelical Church Foundation; so far, the deed has not been transferred.