The meeting took place against the backdrop of a massive demonstration in which tens of thousands protested against the appointment of a candidate from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to replace the elected Kurdish mayor, Abdullah Zeydan.
Bakırhan, addressing the spirited gathering, celebrated Van’s legacy of resistance and its symbolic importance in the Kurdish struggle for democracy. He condemned attempts to undermine the will of the people through political and legal manoeuvres, highlighting the imposition of a trusteeship that disregarded the electorate’s will. Bakırhan urged the Supreme Electoral Board (YSK) to uphold validation of Zeydan’s candidacy and stressed the importance of protecting local democracy.
Hatimoğulları echoed Bakırhan’s sentiments, portraying the incident as part of a wider plan to undermine her electoral prospects. She announced plans for a vigourous legal challenge to the decision and vowed to stand by the local community and the party leadership until justice was done.
During the meeting, tensions escalated when police refused permission for a planned march by delegations from the DEM party, CHP, TIP and EMEP, citing a 15-day ban issued by the governor’s office.
Despite police attempts to disperse the crowd and restrict media access, DEM Party leaders addressed the rally. As the meeting ended and the crowd prepared to disperse, riot police used water cannons and tear gas, further escalating tensions.
Protests in Van and police intervention have continued since Tuesday. Alongside the demonstrations, traders and shopkeepers expressed their reaction and anger by not opening their shutters since the morning in support of Zeydan.
