Tugay Kartal’s Thank You Speech

Tugay Kartal’s speech in while receiving the Costa Carras European Citizens Award: “First and foremost, I salute those who lost their lives during the Gezi protests, and our comrades who remain imprisoned despite acquittals and rulings from the European Court of Human Rights.

As the Haydarpaşa Solidarity for Society, City, and Environment—a broad coalition of unions, professional chambers, railway workers, and urban citizens—we have been fighting for 20 years to protect Haydarpaşa Station from transformation policies that are incompatible with the spirit of the city. We are defending our Right to the City and our Right to Cultural Heritage, by insisting that the station preserve its function.

That these efforts have been recognized with the Costa Carras European Citizens Award, which believes in the transformative power of civil society, has shown us once again that we are not alone.

We are honored to continue with this award and the support it brings into our 639th Sunday vigil.

Haydarpaşa is a Train Station and Will Remain One!”