Turkey: Protests Against NATO on Occasion of its 77th Anniversary
Featured image. Protest against NATO organized in Istanbul. Source: Yeni Demokrasi.
On its 77th anniversary, NATO was protested in many parts of Turkey. Yeni Demokrasi reports on marches organized in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, and Malatya.
Istanbul
On the 77th anniversary of its founding, a crowd gathered at the call of the Union Against NATO and Imperialist War, marching from the Taksim AKM (Atatürk Cultural Center) to Dolmabahçe. Partizan also participated in the march. A statement was read, which called on the youth to take to the streets against NATO Summit in July, and denounced the role of imperialism in the wars in the Middle East, especially condemning the war against Palestine, and the war on Iran, launched by US imperialism and its forward outpost in the Middle East, the State of Israel. The statement explained that there is a crisis of the imperialist system, and US imperialism tries to overcome the crisis and keep the hegemony by re-dividing the world.
Ankara
The Ankara Labor and Democracy Forces, including Partizan, and the Anti-NATO and Anti- Imperialist War Union marched from Söğütözü Metro Station to the US Embassy. The statement demanded the withdrawal of Turkey from NATO and the end of all agreements of Turkey with imperialist countries.
Adana
The protest was organized at the call of the Adana and Mersin Labor and Democracy Platforms. In a press statement made near Incirlik Air Base, it was emphasized that NATO is “not a security umbrella, but an instrument of war and poverty.” The statement demanded the withdrawal of Turkey from NATO and the closure of all US and NATO bases in the country.
Izmir
The Confederation of Public Employees’ Unions (KESK) Izmir Branches Platform made a statement in front of the NATO complex in Şirinyer. The spokesperson of the KESK noted that NATO brings nothing else than war and impoverishment of workers. The statement demanded the withdrawal of Turkey from NATO.
Malatya
During the protest organized by the Malatya Labor and Democracy Platform, barricades were erected to block the march from Kürecik center to the Radar Base. The statement issued on behalf of this platform, highlighted how NATO was linked with coups, invasions, counter-guerrilla operations and war policies. The activists also denounced the role of Turkey as part of the war of aggression on Iran, as new Patriot systems were deployed in the country.
