Protests Break the Silence of Grief over Turkish Mine Disaster

[Omaha Steve]

http://labornotes.org/blogs/2014/09/protests-break-silence-grief-over-turkish-mine-disaster




Since the Soma mining disaster there have been no new measures to prevent similar incidents. Instead there is a strict ban on commemorations, protests, and union activities. Nonetheless, protesters have returned to the streets. Photo: Koda Collective. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/blogs/2014/09/protests-break-silence-grief-over-turkish-mine-disaster#sthash.ESAIHwgv.dpuf


September 09, 2014 / Kıvanç Eliaçık

In one of my condolence visits in Soma, Turkey, I sat next to a young widow with children. She did not speak, she did not hear, but her house was full of all kinds of charity goods.

It’s been a hundred days since 301 miners were killed. Each passing day we understand better: what happened May 13 was no accident. It was the result of privatization, corporate negligence, and an indifferent government.

There’s been no prosecution. There are no new measures to prevent similar incidents. What has been imposed, instead, is a strict ban on commemorations, protests, and union activities.

Grief continues, but the fight has started as well. People are returning to the streets for meetings and protests. As I left town, a widow’s voice echoed in my ear: “Do not shut up. This silence killed my husband!”

A Dead End in the Mines
- See more at: http://labornotes.org/blogs/2014/09/protests-break-silence-grief-over-turkish-mine-disaster#sthash.ESAIHwgv.dpuf

FULL story at link.