CHP, Solidarity Group Marches Against Kurbağalı Creek Stench

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies marched alongside Kadıköy City Defense in a demonstration on Thursday evening to protest the strong odor that has taken over Kurbağalı Creek in Kadıköy, a district on İstanbul's Asian coastline, due to the accumulation of sewage in the water.

Black bubbles, accompanied by a strong stench, have overtaken Kurbağalı Creek.

The creek, which runs through the neighborhoods of Kalamış and Moda, and along Yoğurtçu Park, has become notorious among local residents and the media, who gathered for a march against the severe pollution.

Participants in the march included CHP Secretary-General Gürsel Tekin and deputies Mahmut Tanal and Barış Yarkadaş, who wore masks to cover their noses to illustrate how strong the odor is from the creek. Kadıköy Mayor Aykurt Nuhoğlu also participated in the march where they together held up a banner that read “Life should flow from the creek, not poison.”

The group assembled at Yoğurtçu Park and walked on Recep Peker Street near the creek, where Arsun Önol of the solidarity group gave a statement to the press, saying: “We are breathing poison because of the flow of sewage into Kurbağalı Creek. The people of Kadıköy and the Sea of Marmara are in great danger. This creek, which is turning into a huge sewer, is threatening human health and aquatic life more with every passing day."

The group stated: “According to the analysis of the sea water done by the Kadıköy Municipality at seven different points, there are six points where the water should not be entered due to the high presences of E. coli. The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality public beach is included in these areas.”

Many of the demonstrators called for İstanbul Mayor Kadır Topbaş to resign.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)