Mayor against those with ‘walls in mind’

KOCAELİ

The walls were demolished by strong winds that occurred in the region Aug 27. Municipal officials say screws in the walls had been loosened intentionally. DHA photo

A controversial women-only section at Ereğli beach in the Karamürsel district of Kocaeli Municipality has been destroyed in a storm, prompting suspicions of sabotage. Despite locals’ objections to the municipality’s decision to create the section, Kocaeli Mayor İbrahim Karaosmanoğlu did not retreat.

Karaosmanoğlu told the press Aug. 27 that the beach had been partitioned off with wooden screens upon requests from women who were not able to swim in the sea comfortably, and that he opposed those who had walls in their mind.

“This is not discrimination but respect for a lifestyle. I see this as a human right. I don’t respect those who don’t respect this choice. It is a civilized act to respect the views of these people. I can’t wash away the dogma in the head of some people. They have walls in their mind. But I built a wall on the beach. I don’t have walls in my heart,” he said, adding that they would remove the wall at the end of the summer season.

In the meantime, the wooden walls were demolished by strong winds in a storm that occurred in the region Aug. 27, Doğan news agency reported. Municipality officials who examined the walls after the event said the screws in the walls had been loosened intentionally.

While it is not yet known whether the walls will be rebuilt since the season is about to end, locals are pleased that their view of the sea is no longer blocked.