The paper collector, who was afraid of being attacked, wrote "I am not Syrian" on his motorcycle.

Barış İrgen, who has been making a living by collecting paper in Kocaeli for 9 years, became a trending topic on social media with the "I am not Syrian" message he wrote on his motorcycle. İrgen, who said that he was mistaken for a Syrian and stopped in front of him a few days ago, stated that he had to write this message because he was afraid of being attacked by being mistaken for a Syrian.

HE SAID HE WAS MISTAKEN FOR SYRIANS

Barış İrgen, who came from Siverek district of Şanlıurfa to Kocaeli about 9 years ago and has been making a living by collecting paper here, wrote "I am not Syrian" on his motorcycle because he was afraid of being attacked. İrgen, who goes out on the roads with his motorcycle at 03.00 every night, stated that he is constantly mistaken for Syrians and therefore afraid of being attacked. İrgen, who collects paper with his brothers in difficult conditions, explained that he can do his job more comfortably after writing this message.

"WE COLLECT CARDBOARDS DAY AND NIGHT"

Barış İrgen stated that he has been living in Kocaeli for 9 years and originally from Siverek. İrgen, who stated that he made a living by farming in Siverek, but had to come to Kocaeli with his 8 siblings, said, "We live together with 9 people here. We collect cardboards day and night. I also have a younger brother, we work. We have been here for 9 years. I am originally from Siverek. We were doing farming there. We sell cardboards here, but we cannot do this in Siverek. I am on the motorcycle day and night. My younger brother also helps me," he said.

"WE CAN'T STAND ON OUR FEET ANYMORE"

Irgen, who stated that they live with 9 people in the same house, said, "We can't stand on our feet anymore. Our day and night are uncertain. We wake up at 03.00 at night. In the evening, we usually finish our work around 20.00, 21.00, 22.00, but sometimes our work is finished even at 00.00," he said.

"THEY DON'T STOP ME ANYMORE"

Barış İrgen, who said that he was mistaken for a Syrian and his way was blocked a few days ago, said, "They stopped me and said 'you are Syrian'. So I wrote this message. They don't stop me anymore. No one says anything. After writing the message, people started to look at me favorably. They used to look at me with hatred before," he said.