Social media lights up over pro-Erdogan quake-zone voters

World
By William

As the results of Turkey’s presidential election trickled in, many opposition supporters took to social media to express their anger, particularly targeting voters living in areas devastated by February’s earthquakes.

Sunday’s election ended with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receiving 49.5 percent of the vote and his main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, receiving 44.9 percent.

The majority of voters in eight of the eleven earthquake-hit cities voted for Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party), while the other three cities favored Kilicdaroglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP).

In the aftermath of the earthquakes, Erdogan’s government was criticized for its slow response to the disaster and lax enforcement of building codes. Three months later, the president’s critics couldn’t understand why earthquake survivors would support Erdogan at the polls. Many used Twitter to insult these voters.

Translation: “I say nothing to those who left, but to those who remained in the earthquake zone, may God damn you … We are ashamed of our humanity in their place.”

Translation: “We suffered so much embarrassment after the earthquake. I said they couldn’t have given it, they wouldn’t have done this, but they did. May you drown in the cries of the dead who still lie beneath the rubble.”

Thousands tweeted comments full of verbal attacks and threats against voters living in the earthquake zone.

Translation: “71 percent vote for Erdogan from earthquake zone..?

“You Burn Urfa, I Will Burn Antep”

“OK”

Due to the election results, some users stated that they would no longer send aid to earthquake survivors.

Translation: “I’m sorry, but this was the last. Whatever happens, after this I will not help in any disaster. I cried for days. If they forget that the government came 3 days later, that Kizilay sold tents and still trust the AKP, then I’m done.”

Translation: “I really can’t believe this. I won’t be sad for most of them anymore. I’ve been so straining to do anything since the earthquake, I was sick with grief. They can go ask the AKP for help, there is nothing to say.”

Government response

Istanbul’s chief prosecutor announced it has opened an investigation into individuals who posted “provocative messages” and “created inhumane rhetoric” towards earthquake survivors, Anadolu news agency reported.

The promises to stop sending aid to the earthquake zone have already been translated into action. According to Melike Hatipoglu, who said she has been personally organizing aid since the first day of the earthquakes, many people have stopped providing financial support to the victims.

“I don’t think my heart can handle everything I’ve been through these past three days. Aid for 174 orphans has been stopped. Nearly 2,000 boxes of supplies have been canceled. people asked [for me to give] the furniture they had donated to the homeless. She forbade helping children, the disabled and the elderly. I’ll let you all comment.”

The backlash has also spilled over into the government. On Tuesday, the Tekirdag Metropolitan Municipality announced it ended its temporary housing for earthquake survivors.

Translation: “CHP Tekirdag Municipality punished the victims of the earthquake because Kemal Kilicdaroglu could not get enough votes from the earthquake zone.

“They tried to evict civilians who were transferred to hotels in Kumbag.

“The earthquake victims said, ‘This is what you think we’re worth because the earthquake zone voted for the AK party?'”

After the public outcry, the Governor of Tekirdag and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority intervened said they will continue to provide shelter for the earthquake victims.

In response to the barrage of insults from opposition supporters on social media, videos and photos are circulating on social media of earthquake survivors returning aid they received from CHP municipalities.

In a video, a victim from Elbistan in Kahramanmaras province, the epicenter of the earthquakes, said he is returning the free fertilizer he received from the CHP-run municipality of Ankara.

Translation: “The Nation Alliance has made no condemnatory statements [the insults]. We are not proud or dishonorable enough to use this fertilizer.”

Another victim shared with Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum that he brought a free bottle of water from an Ankara Municipality booth during the earthquake.

Translation: “I have sent the money for [the water] back to Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s bank account. It was 2.50 lira [13 cents].”

Many social media users have condemned the backlash against earthquake survivors and called on others to continue to donate and provide support.

Translation: “A request, the best answer is to give to those who have lost their humanity. Whichever you trust…”

Translation: “If we do not like the result of democracy, the action to be taken to increase constructive criticism is to improve the opposition. However, it poses no threat to those affected by the tragedy. Just as this country raised us, we will continue to help its children unconditionally.

“We will. Because we know that human life is above political decisions. We express our continued support to earthquake survivors and young people who have lost their mothers. In the second round, whether my heart is filled or not, I will organize personally a new utility.”

Erdogan’s response

Ahead of the general election, both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu campaigned in the earthquake-ravaged cities. Members and leaders of their coalitions also held rallies and visited the area.

In a tweet, Erdogan denounced the negative reactions on social media.

“We are witnessing attacks that are incompatible with human values ​​because of this mindset because they could not get votes from our citizens. These circles display all kinds of unscrupulousness, from stopping the aid they send to the earthquake zone to evicting earthquake victims from hotels.”

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