Government faces backlash after lifting all Covid measures but music ban at night

Photo: AA

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While all coronavirus measures will be lifted as of July 1, a music ban will be in effect starting from midnight, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced yesterday (June 21).

"We're extending the restriction regarding music to 24.00. Excuse me but nobody has the right to disturb anyone at night," he explained the reason for the ban.

His words caused a public backlash on social media with the "We don't excuse you" (#kusurabakıyoruz) hashtag becoming a trending topic on Twitter with more than 200,000 tweets.

Heed, to his every word, live in fear. #KUSURABAKIYORUZ #müziksusturulamaz Gece 00.00 pic.twitter.com/cixKu6BGop

— Murat Gençoğlu (@Welmour) June 21, 2021

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu released a video message on Twitter, saying that "Since the beginning, we've been saying that the bans are ideological."

The government was accused of interfering with people's lifestyles taking advantage of the pandemic measures when it imposed a ban on alcoholic beverage sales during curfew days.

CLICK - 'Don't touch my alcohol': Social media outrage as liquor shops to be closed during 17-day lockdown 

Redd music band stated, "Music is not a public health problem. We are one of the sectors that have been affected the most during bans. We're trying to say that this is ideological beyond negligence.

"How long can we stay silent against the interference with arts, entertainment, colorfulness, and lifestyles? It's evident what our lifestyles have become because of what the government wants."

"We all have to object to this," Redd said, adding: "What about saying #wedontexcuse by paying our instruments, playing music and singing at 12 a.m.?"

CLICK - Concert in protest of musicians' exclusion from coronavirus reopening 

Rapper Ağaçkakan called invited people to Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Park in Kadıköy, İstanbul for a "mini concert."

Singer Gaye Su Akyol wrote, "If you are disturbed, do not listen to, mister."

Mazlum Çimen wrote, "Excuse me but musicians are dying."

#kusurabakıyoruz In the night, no control https://t.co/2pxsmL84mT pic.twitter.com/x7qhhTyvXt

— Çağrı (@_cagcak) June 21, 2021

Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun dismissed criticism as "an ideological distortion." Erdoğan supported musicians with all possible resources during the pandemic, he asserted.

"Those who can't leave the habits of the old Turkey" were trying to polarize the society with a "fake lifestyle debate," according to Altun. (KÖ/VK)