Fatih Turan / Rize, Aug 25 () – The Fırtına Initiative, an environmental organization that fights to protect green areas particularly in Black Sea region held a protest against the controversial “Green Road” project, by dancing Black Sea folk dance, horon, and playing tulum [typical Black Sea form of bagpipe].
The symbol of “Green Road” resistance, 63-year-old Rabiye Bekar also known as Havva Ana [Mother Eve], was at the demonstrations that has gathered 250 people in front of the Governorate of Rize province, as well.
Havva Ana even headed to the Provincial Directorate of Security, office of Police Comissioner Adem Çakıcı, to tell, “Son, we don’t want gendarmerie on our hill. We are the gendarmerie, the governor of our territory. We are not terrorists in any sense. Don’t be afraid of us, my son. Let us to our selves.”
The initiative have been watch guarding in Samistal district for 45 days, against the controversial road project in attempt to construct a 2,600-kilometer road to connect highland areas in eight province.
“Soldiers, riot police officers surrounded the mountains, hills. We asked them why they came this crowded. They responded ‘to show the determination of the state. We are pacific people. We are determinant to protect Samistal, Kavrun, Kaçkar regions, too” said press statement read by member of the initiative, Havva Reyhan, defining the project as a crime against natural protected area.
The statement added “Army cannot be deployed against people searching for justice! We came to him by our selves; may the governor dance khoron with us”.
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