“This story was initially published as part of the The International People’s Platform for Climate Justice project”

In the age of crisis, not a single day passes that we do not witness catastrophic events after the other—wars, climate crisis, ecological collapse, COVID-19, sunken refugee boats, broken dreams. Mother Earth is suffering thanks to the deceit we call civilization. Our collective trauma is getting bigger and bigger every day. We can’t breathe. Despair is everywhere.
Then, there are people who keep dreaming despite the difficulties and challenges. They yearn for a better future – a just one based on the values of solidarity instead of greed; recovery instead of collapse; hope instead of despair.
Meet the people of Roma Garden in Istanbul – a neighborhood initiative that relentlessly and courageously resisted plans to bulldozer a public space. They reclaimed it and finally turned the area into an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle we call Istanbul.
As Sevil from the people of Roma Garden says, “the seeds of resistance we spread to an urban wasteland blossomed in a short period of time, and it didn’t only become a common green space for everyone, but a source of hope for us all.”
We invite you to watch the story of Roma Community Garden, where you can glimpse a better future, a step closer to our dreams.
Credit: Mekanda Adalet Derneği
 

This video has audio in Turkish and subtitles in English. Please click on CC to activate the subtitles.
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