“We Will Not Surrender to Darkness!”

Education workers within Bornova Municipality staged a half-day work stoppage to protest the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. During the protest, they emphasized that the rising violence is not isolated but a result of negligence, calling for urgent security measures in schools. Uğur Nazlıoğlu highlighted that the right to life has become the most fundamental issue in Turkey.

Teachers, instructors, and coaches working under Bornova Municipality participated in the action organized יחד with DİSK Genel-İş. The protest also saw participation from educators of Children’s Activity Centers, Hobby and Skills Courses, and sports programs, strengthening solidarity.

“Not just a reaction, but an organized warning”

In the press statement made at Çamdibi BELGEM, education workers stressed that violence in schools has become a widespread social issue, seriously undermining the sense of safety among students, teachers, and parents.

Throughout the demonstration, slogans such as “We will not surrender to darkness!”, “The right to live is fundamental—don’t stay silent, speak out!”, “Hands raised against teachers will be broken!”, and “We don’t want violence in schools!” were frequently chanted.

Nazlıoğlu: “We are now discussing the most basic right—the right to live”

In his speech, Uğur Nazlıoğlu emphasized that increasing violence in Turkey threatens all segments of society. He stated that the safety of women, children, teachers, and workers is at risk, and that society faces new crises and acts of violence every day. He added that attacks on educational institutions directly target the future, making collective action by unions and workers essential.

Nazlıoğlu underlined that the right to life has become the most fundamental issue today and that organized struggle carries responsibility not only for economic matters but also for broader social problems.

Clear demands: Safe schools now

In their statement, education workers called on authorities to:

• Increase security measures in schools
• Expand the number of specialized personnel
• Strengthen psychosocial support services
• Implement permanent policies to prevent violence

The statement concluded with the words: “This action is not just a reaction, but an organized warning.”