Kent Butcher Shop Opens in Kızılay
The Kent Butcher Shop, launched by Bornova Municipality in Kızılay Neighborhood, was officially opened with a ceremony attended by CHP Deputy Chair Özgür Karabat. Speaking at the opening, Karabat, CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç, and Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized social municipalism and stated that they would continue to protect the people’s table against growing poverty.
The Kent Butcher Shop established by Bornova Municipality in Kızılay Neighborhood began operating following a formal opening ceremony. The event was attended by CHP Deputy Chair Özgür Karabat, CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç, Karşıyaka Mayor Yıldız Ünsal, CHP Bornova District Chair Ertürk Çapın, CHP Çiğli District Chair Erkan Akar, CHP Menemen District Chair Hüseyin Özbey, members of the CHP Party Assembly from the Headquarters, Women’s and Youth Branches, municipal council members, municipal executives, neighborhood heads (muhtars), and many citizens.
The opening stood out not merely as the launch of a municipal enterprise, but as a strong message reflecting the responsibility assumed by local governments in the face of rising poverty and deepening income inequality.
Muhtar Besra Girgör: “For the First Time, This Neighborhood Can Breathe”
Kızılay Neighborhood Muhtar Besra Girgör emphasized the importance of Kent Butcher Shop for the neighborhood and shared the story behind its establishment:
“When I was newly elected as muhtar, our Mayor visited the neighborhood. I told him, ‘There is no butcher shop in our neighborhood.’ He said, ‘We can do it.’ I replied, ‘Bornova Municipality does not have such a business.’ He said, ‘That’s fine, we’ll open the first one in Kızılay Neighborhood,’ and today he kept his promise. Thanks to Kent Butcher Shop, we will be able to buy meat for our homes at much more affordable prices.”
Girgör also mentioned other investments made in the neighborhood, noting that land had been allocated by the Metropolitan Municipality for a marketplace, with the project designed by Bornova Municipality, and thanked Mayor Eşki for all the services provided.
Mayor Eşki: “We Will Not Hand Over the Poor’s Table to Anyone”
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki addressed both social municipal practices and Turkey’s current political and economic situation with strong remarks.
Taking the podium wearing the vest of Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, Mayor Eşki said:
“He is unjustly detained despite serious health problems. Today, I wanted to be here wearing the vest he gifted me. Because this vest is not just a piece of clothing; it is a symbol of labor, producing for the people, and social municipalism. On his behalf, and on behalf of all our mayors who are unjustly imprisoned—especially our presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu—I stand here today. We will always stand by them and continue to be their voice and breath with every step we take.”
Listing the social projects implemented in Bornova, Mayor Eşki stated that Kent Butcher Shop is an important link in this chain:
“In Bornova, we first opened Kent Markets and Kent Restaurants. Then we launched Kent Gardens and Kent Stores. Today, we are putting into service the Kent Butcher Shop, where meat will be sold at the lowest price in Turkey. Approximately 4,000 citizens will be able to purchase 1 kilogram of minced meat and 1 kilogram of cubed meat here. Kent Butcher Shop is not just a municipal business; it is also a call to conscience. Whatever our strength allows, whatever our means permit, we will continue to do for the people of Bornova. Because we see serving this city as a duty.”
Stating that it is painful to boast about social services but that the country’s economy has been brought to this point, Eşki continued:
“A system has been established in this country. While the rich get richer, the poor become poorer every day. Some live in palaces and lavish banquets. Some have set their sights on this country’s wealth, labor, and sweat. But we, as Republican People’s Party municipalities, protect the poor’s table and the bite of bread they are trying to shrink.”
“You Cannot Stop Us”
Referring to pressures on CHP-run municipalities, Mayor Eşki delivered a message of determination:
“Some of us are imprisoned, some of us are being obstructed, some of us are being silenced, some of us are being intimidated. Let me state clearly from here: They will never stop us. In this country, everyone who believes in the Republic, Atatürk, the Turkish flag, the National Anthem, secularism, social democracy, unity, and solidarity will ultimately prevail. Because we are right. Because we stand with the people. We will not stop until justice and rights prevail in this country. We will work tirelessly, even sleeplessly. Because this country is not without owners. Because this country has Republican People’s Party municipalities. And I promise from here: We will continue to protect the people’s table, expand justice, and rebuild this country.”
Çağatay Güç: “The Only Structures That Still Stand with the People Are CHP Municipalities”
CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç emphasized that the deepening economic crisis is making life increasingly difficult for citizens and said that the only public institutions directly touching people’s daily lives are CHP-run municipalities.
Stating that social municipal practices are a conscious choice rather than a coincidence, Güç said:
“We are proud of our mayors. Because today, there are almost no public institutions left in this country that truly touch citizens and share their problems. From Kent Restaurants to Kent Butchers, from mosque cleaning to school repairs, from social aid to childcare services, the only structure standing with the people is Republican People’s Party municipalities.”
Drawing attention to the country’s economic situation, Güç noted that the crisis has reached an undeniable level and concluded:
“What we clearly see today in the streets, markets, and neighborhoods is this: It is not us, but the people who want change. People are tired of confrontational language. They want problem-solving administrations. They want an approach that touches their table, makes their lives easier, and thinks about their children’s future. The cadres that will restore justice, protect labor, support production, and rebuild this country are in the Republican People’s Party.”
Özgür Karabat: “This Opening Is a Photograph of Poverty”
CHP Deputy Chair Özgür Karabat stated that the social projects implemented by Bornova Municipality are not merely local services, but a clear reflection of Turkey’s current economic and social reality.
Praising Mayor Eşki’s leadership, Karabat said that visiting Kent Gardens, Kent Markets, Kent Restaurants, and now Kent Butcher Shop points to a painful truth:
“The scale of poverty in this country has grown so much that the central government has chosen to remain indifferent.”
Emphasizing that these services are not charity but a basic right, Karabat added:
“Our wish would have been for municipalities to focus on culture, art, sports, and holidays—not on feeding people. But unfortunately, people have been condemned to hunger.”
Referring to children’s nutrition problems, Karabat said:
“There are children who cannot eat red meat even once a month. In such a situation, a CHP municipality opens a butcher shop to sell meat at half the market price—so that retirees can eat meat and children can have meat on their plates.”
Criticizing budget allocations to İzmir, Karabat described them as discriminatory and concluded with a message of equality and hope, stating that under a CHP government, no city would be treated differently.
Greetings to Detained Mayors
At the end of his speech, Karabat sent greetings to Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mehmet Murat Çalık, and Tunç Soyer, stating that İzmir and Turkey will be rebuilt together with a people-oriented, just, and conscientious approach.
Following the speeches, the opening ribbon was cut collectively accompanied by the İzmir March. Kızılay Neighborhood Muhtar Besra Girgör presented a plaque of appreciation to Mayor Ömer Eşki for his services.
