Anti-War Protests over The Weekend
A group affiliated with ''Istanbul Youth Association" hung a banner on Galata Tower, a historical site in central Istanbul. "The government is killing by war, poverty and isolation" in both Turkish and English, the banner was inscribed..
Participants from local anti-war platforms in Samsun, Bartin and Nigde, and Freedom and Solidarity Party in Malatya protested against the military intervention in Iraq.
"Peace"
In north Samsun peace activists staged a sit in forming the word "Baris" ("peace" in Turkish).
In eastern province of Van, Ataturkist Thought Association made a public statement to denounce those who come from four thousands of kilometers away, occupy Iraq to breach human rights and international law.
In Istanbul, the police used clubs and tear gas against members of Halkevleri who headed to Taksim square for an anti-war demonstration The protestors threw red paint on the police. The tear gas affected everyone on the street, including people in their workplace.
Members of Istanbul Democratic Highschool Union were taken under custody after attempting to march towards the US General Consulate in Istanbul to protest against the war on Iraq.
Letter to the United Nations
A group of people from the Istanbul branch of Human Rights Association sent a letter to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, protesting his "silence and inability to take initiative" concerning the war on Iraq.
The letter said "As defenders of human rights we feel offended by the UN's inert attitude, especially with respect to protection of civilian lives. The UN is not doing its job. The reasons for this should be announced to the whole world by you in person."
Ankara: Balloons in the Air
The US-led attack on Iraq was protested against in Ankara with two different actions. Ankara Anti-War Platform gathered at noon, they released helium balloons to which a banner was attached. The banner said "Stop the Occupation, Get Out of the Middle East".
Women's Platform for Peace announced that "Iraqi women are not alone", their statement noted that innocent women and children were dying under bombardement and said "Tyrants will drown in the blood they have spilt"
A teachers' union held another anti-war action in Abdi Ipekci Park.
Riot Incited by the Off-target Missile in Urfa
An off-target Tomahawk cruise missile which struck the Buyukmirdesi village in Urfa (Southeast Turkey) caused a riot. The villagers showered US soldiers with eggs and stones on Saturday when they arrived to recover pieces of the missile. Scores of locals set upon four vehicles carrying about 10 American soldiers, breaking windows and shouting slogans against the US-led war in Iraq. The American soldiers had to wear steel jackets. (BE/EK)