Levent Dölek, the vice chairman of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party (DIP) in Turkey and the workplace representative of the main trade union at the university level, Eğitim-Sen, for Istanbul University, was detained as part of police raids on the morning of March 26th, and subsequently arrested for having participated to a rally in support of arrested students. The following text is the English translation of a letter he recently penned in prison:
We are right, we are hopeful.
We are being held in the Silivri prison unfairly and unlawfully, along with many others whose hearts beat for freedom and country. Clearly, it is out of the question for us to accept this situation. We are right in our struggle, we never commit any action we cannot defend and of course we will defend our words and actions. We will fight back against the injustice we are subjected to, just as we do in other circumstances. On the other hand, we need to be fair and make a measured assessment of the injustice and oppression we face in the context of the world we live in. Right now, and not far from us, just a bus ride away, a genocide is unfolding in Palestine under the auspices of American imperialism by the hands of the murderous Zionist entity called Israel. What pain, what injustice, what lawlessness, what oppression is worth complaining about compared to the barbarity these people are subjected to? I cannot think of a source of inspiration that can come close to the heroism and sacrifice of the people who resist and fight in the bosom of the Palestinian people, while the most destructive weapons of the most powerful terrorist states in the world are raining death on them. As we always say, Palestine is not just a country. Palestine is a watchword. It is a watchword that unites the hearts of the oppressed from every nation, country, sect, belief, and color.
Don't forget Palestine! Don't let it be forgotten! Don't stop repeating the slogans of the Palestinian resistance! Don't forget those who spuriously make heroic speeches while taking part in the genocide, don't let them lull us into new betrayals. At the same time, never, never be fooled by the West's fictitious posturing on the side of democracy while offering protection to genocidaires in our struggle for freedom. We rely on our righteousness and that alone. Our only guarantee is the power of the workers and toilers. The youth is our hope. We have what it takes to be hopeful and confident in these most challenging days. I, for one, when I hear from the vanguard workers, the friends I have met in the heat of the class struggle, the brothers and sisters with whom I fought against despotism on the barricades erected to protect capitalism, when I see the struggle of the youth whose fight, in their love for the country and freedom, cannot be contained by the limits delineated by the CHP (Republican People’s Party), I cannot help but have a big smile on my face despite all the difficulties. I am happy and hopeful. Thank you!
Down with imperialism!
Down with Zionism!
Down with despostism!
LONG LIVE FREEDOM!
6 April 2025
Levent Dölek
Marmara Penitentiary
Prison no 3
Ward B-5
Silivri / İstanbul / Turkey