On Monday the 01.03.2021 demanded around 200 People in front of the town hall “Leyla and Meryem: stay". They demonstrated for the secure residence and a work permit for Leyla and Meryem Lacin. The rally was organized by the Initiative for Leyla and Meryem consisting of the friends of Leyla and Meryem.
Leyla and Meryem's case received special attention, since both people have been around for over 30 Years in Germany and for just under 10 Years living in Kassel. So far the authorities of the city of Kassel and the authorities in Upper Franconia have, where to Leyla and Meryem 1988 initially fled due to persecution by the Turkish state, the responsibility for the case is passed on to each other.
To get the city of Kassel and especially the social mayor Ilona Friedrich to act, had the Initiative for Leyla and Meryem has already addressed them in an open letter. The Leyla College started a nationwide signature campaign, which still to 10. March runs. It was announced at the rally, that so far 2700 People die Petition have signed, meanwhile it's already over 3000 Signatures.
Leyla Lacin and her mother Meryem have lived since 2011 in Kassel, have a sprawling friend- and circle of friends built up and found work. Leyla has been employed as an assistant in an outpatient care service for over five years.
Works council member Constanze W. she was described at the rally as a well-trained and helpful colleague. She is generally valued for her work in her team and by her superiors. Nevertheless, the main customs office in Giessen imposed high fines on the employer for employing Leyla, and her activities were made illegal.
Independent financial support for daughter and mother is of great importance, because Meryem Lacin has not yet had any permanent health insurance coverage despite a serious illness. The mother has suffered several strokes so far, suffers from diabetes and an immune deficiency. Because there is no access to secure basic medical care, she had to cure two heart attacks at home - as Leyla reported during the rally. A colleague of Leyla said the actions of the authorities were against any concept of humanity and logic.
“You belong to Kassel, how we do it. Just like for us, is your home here too. "
Initiative for Leyla and Meryem
In her speech, the Initiative for Leyla and Meryem fest, that the authorities need to act urgently, to create a secure perspective for both of them. She closed with an appeal to Nobert Strauch, the chairman of the immigration office in Kassel and Ilona Friedrich: “Even if we know, that Leyla and Meryem are not the only ones in such a difficult position, we must not stop working for humanity in this city, when we find out about it. Your requirements too, Mrs. Friedrich, can not be. Leyla must be allowed to work, both must be allowed to live here, because this is their home. "
After her own speech and at the end of the rally, Leyla sang another song about the beauty of nature in the mountains of Kurdistan, which should be clarified, that she did not voluntarily leave her former home.
