HADEP Moving Forward Step By Step

Following the opening of party offices in the Kovancilar district of Elazig and the Kocasinan
district of Kayseri last week, HADEP continued to grow with new offices in the townships of
Yapali and Yeniceoba in Konya's Cihanbeyli district this week. 

ALI SEZGIN
July 31, 2001
Ozgur Politika

The People's Democracy Party (HADEP) continues to spread and organize throughout the
country. The party opened new district offices in Kovancilar, in Elazig province, and in
Kocasinan, in Kayseri province, last week, followed by Konya, Eskisehir, and Kirsehir. 

As the result of activities lasting about a month, the new HADEP offices in the townships of
Yapali and Yeniceoba in Konya's Cihanbeyli district were held this week. Women in
particular showed great interest in the grand opening of the headquarters at Yapali, which
was attended by about 700 people. The HADEP convoy then moved on to the township of
Yeniceoba, where it was greeted enthusiastically by the people. It was reported that the
Gendarmerie broke up the crowd of youths which had gathered in front of the town hall
before the opening. After the convoy arrived, the people gathered once again and greeted the
HADEP officials with zurnas and davuls (traditional wind instrument and drum). The new
HADEP township organization also gave a dinner for the people who attended the grand
opening. The crowds at both grand opening chanted slogans calling for missing HADEP
administrators Deniz and Tanis to be found, as well as shouting, "Neither denial nor
division; A Democratic Republic" and "Greetings, greetings, a thousand greetings to Imrali",
"Biji A?iti, Biji HADEP" (Long live peace, long live HADEP) and "No to capital
punishment; Peace Now."

New branches on the way

Meanwhile, work is continuing to open more new local HADEP headquarters. New offices
are planned to be opened within a few months in Eregli (Konya), Aksehir, Yunak,
Tavsancali (Kulu), Golyazi (Karacadag), and Bulduk (Cihanbeyli). 

Culture festival for children

A mini culture festival entitled "The health of peace" was held by the HADEP Batman
Provincial Children's Unit the other day at the central provincial headquarter. "Children's
rights" were explained to the children at the festival. A great many children attended the
festival and had much fun. Along with talks about international rights of children, there were
theater, poetry and folklore presentations. The children were all given gifts at the end of the
festival.

500 new members

Meanwhile, HADEP's membership drive that was begun by central party headquarters and
continues concentrated in Istanbul, is continuing strongly. 500 new members joined the party
in the Gaziosmanpasa district of Istanbul the other day, mainly coming from the Republican
People's Party (CHP), the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), and the defunct Fazilet
Party. Among the new members are former district administrators of the aforementioned
parties. 
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