With Respect to Saturday Mothers
The Saturday Mothers, known for seeking justice for their missing loved ones, have turned their weekly sit-in protest at Galatasaray Square into a poignant symbol of resilience and hope. These mothers, whose children were taken into custody during the 1990s in Turkey and never returned, have gathered every week without fail to demand accountability.
Their story is one of heartache and perseverance. For 1000 Saturdays, they have held up photos of their lost children, tirelessly searching and raising their voices so that their loved ones are not forgotten.
On the milestone of their 1000th gathering, a poignant message was shared by an individual expressing a deep longing and respect for his mother: “You are my mother; you are the one who loves and teaches me… You are the one who says, ‘Don’t die, let me die.’ You are the one who cradles me with the scent of spring, embracing me as if placing me in the infinite sky… And you are the one who searches for me when I am lost… A thousand Saturdays have passed, and you still search for me… Existence and nonexistence are siblings, mother, like crying and laughing… Your scream that rises to the heavens is also silence… I hope that silence will shine a light on blind consciences… Anyway… The world will not forget, as you haven’t forgotten me!”
This emotional message underlines the importance of not forgetting the disappeared and amplifies the voices of the mothers seeking justice. The struggle of the Saturday Mothers is not only a quest to find their missing loved ones but also serves as a beacon for human rights and justice.
The expressions mentioned in the news highlight the profound and meaningful history of the Saturday Mothers’ movement once again.
Source: 1000th Week Event of Saturday Mothers