Police Intervenes in NATO Protest

Responding to a call by the Union against NATO and Bush, thousands gathered in different districts of Istanbul on Monday, to protest the NATO Summit. Police in the Okmeydani and Mecidiyekoy districts, intervened in the protests, firing tear gas at the protesters and beating some with clubs. An armored personnel carrier moved through the crowds. Many police officers and protesters were injured and tens of demonstrators were detained.

People only passing by and journalists covering the event were also badly affected by the tear gas. The injured were taken to the Okmeydani hospital or private clinics in the area.

Many police officers and demonstrators were injured in the Mecidiyekoy district too, where police also fired tear gas and beat some demonstrators with clubs. Some 500 people had gathered in Mecidiyekoy where the Union Against NATO and Bush made a press statement.

The injured were taken to local hospitals while police chased protesters who attempted to escape through side streets.

According to witness accounts, police fired a different gas than the usual tear gas on protesters, causing small skin burns on their bodies.

A group, including representatives from the Party of Labour (EMEP), Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) and a number of non-governmental organizations, gathered near the Mecidiyekoy Underground Station.

Police circled the group, which chanted slogans and held a huge banner reading, "No passage to NATO," firing tear and pepper gas to the protestors. The protesters responded by hitting and kicking police officers. Some protesters were able to escape through side streets. Others were detained.

Kocali: Democracy's mask has fallen

SDP head Filiz Kocali said making a press statement is a democratic right and protested the police for responding in the way it did.

"We now see the true mentality of those who spoke of democracy before this summit," she told Bianet.

According to her, the police even kicked those protesters who were lying unconscious on the ground and fired gas on those who were fainted.

"Despite the inhumane treatment of the police, we will keep on saying what we think," she added.

"Because we know how the NATO summit will affect our future, we know what the Greater Middle Eastern Project means. Of course, we will express our opinion."

Surek: There will be a press statement Tuesday

Kamil Tekin Surek, the Istanbul head of EMEP, said Istanbul was under an unannounced martial law because of the NATO Summit.

"There is constant violation of the Constitutional rights of citizens," he added.

"It has become clear that the Istanbul governor's decision to allow press statements and demonstrations, was just for show." (BB/EA/YE)