“As we know from historical experiences, racism is an ideological enemy to mankind, has always gone with bloodshed and has been used for the benefits of a small ruling minority.” So begins the founding call for DurDe! (Say Stop!), or Say Stop to Racism and Nationalism Initiative, on the initiative’s website. And it ends, “We wish to come together and take permanent steps with those who say ‘I’m against racism and nationalism.’”
DurDe! is a grassroots initiative with local groups that was founded in 2007 to fight racism, nationalism and hate speech in Turkey. The initiative has organized high-profile campaigns, such as the Remove 301, Try Racists campaign, referring to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which led to a petition with 20,000 signatures, along with a visit to the Turkish National Assembly.
It also organized a commemoration for the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in Istanbul in 2010, drawing 2,500 people to the controversial event. The initiative has been holding events every year since its foundation on March 21, 2007. DurDe! is also a member of United for Intercultural Action, a European network that fights against nationalism, racism and fascism and supports migrants and refugees, as well as the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement.
With traffic of 25,000 monthly visitors to their website, 7,000 Twitter followers and 50,000 Facebook followers, DurDe! is the biggest initiative in Turkey advocating a strong stance in the fight against racism and nationalism. In fact, theirs is a fight that resonates with Facebook’s own community standards.
Click here for full article (Hürriyet Daily News)
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