Another nonviolent protest in Turkey

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Turkish Daily News, November 6, 2001

Chanting, 'I am starving to death,' mother of three claims to
set fire to herself in front of Prime Ministry

Another protest at Prime Ministry

--------------------------------------------------------------

A woman on Monday tried to set fire to herself in front of
the Prime Ministry in Ankara's Vekaletler Street in order to
protest the economic crisis and government.

Suzan Ayiavlar arrived in Vekaletler Street which was closed to
traffic, with her three children and husband.

"We are starving to death," the couple chanted in front of the
Prime Ministry.

Police detained the family. According to information received from
police, the investigation on the event is continuing.

Turkey has been suffering from its biggest economic crisis for
about a year.

The Prime Ministry has been the scene of a number of similar protests
since the beginning of the crisis.

In August Kazim Gemalmaz, a 35-year old tanker driver drove his truck
up to the gates of the Prime Ministry to protest his poor living conditions.

In September two people, Ramazan Ertac (33) and Aydemir Aydin (32), set
a car on fire in front of the new Prime Ministry building out of frustration
because they couldn't pay their debts due to the economic crisis.

Last month, unemployed Bekir Celik approached the Prime Ministry, demanded
to
see Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and threatened to set himself on fire if
not
allowed.

Ankara - Turkish Daily News