ISTANBUL - Calling for participation in the concert of MKM to be held in Şişli on August 28 in solidarity with imprisoned journalists, the artists said: "We want to show that the journalists are not alone."

 

Mesopotamia Cultural Center (MKM) will hold a concert in solidarity with 16 journalists arrested on June 16 as part of the investigation carried out by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Calling for participation in the night to be held at Istanbul Şişli Cemil Candaş Cultural Center on August 28, artists from MKM said that they will show that Kurdish journalists are not alone.

 

JOURNALISTS WERE ARRESTED UNLAWFULLY

 

Stating that the state sees the Kurds as a threat, MKM artist Dengbêj Xalîde said: “The system wants to show its power and influence on the people and destroy them. That's why they do whatever they can. The government puts pressure on everyone in many fields, especially the free press. Most recently, 16 journalists were unlawfully arrested in Diyarbakır. This is unacceptable. These pressures must end. We support each other with these events. We want to support journalists with this organisation. We don't want to leave them alone. We are waiting for all our people to have a night of solidarity with the free press.”

 

'FREE PRESS IS NOT ALONE'

 

Emphasizing that the free press has shown great resistance for years, Genim said: “The free press is reporting the true news stories. The free press informs the public with its news stories and that is very valuable. With this events, we want to be in solidarity with the free press. That's why the night of solidarity is so precious. MKM wants to show and receive the support of the people in this night of solidarity. We want to inform the public and strengthen solidarity with the free press by going out on the streets tonight. On this night, we also want to show the pressure of the government on journalists. On this night, we want to show the state that journalists are not alone. We do not want our people to leave journalists alone. We invite mothers, fathers, young people, children and all the people to this night."

 

FREE PRESS IS AN ALTERNATIVE MEDIA  FOR PUBLIC

 

Drawing attention to the pressure on the free press, MKM manager Hebun Polat said: "Despite the elapsed time, an indictment could not be prepared against the 16 journalists who were arrested. The Journalists are currently being held unlawfully. The free press plays the role of alternative media for the public and with their news stories we get from them.”