NATO was protested in Istanbul by hundreds of people
Following a call by the ‘No to NATO’ Coordination, the NATO Summit due to take place in Ankara on 7–8 July was protested in Kadıköy, Istanbul.
The crowd, which gathered in front of the Bull Statue in Kadıköy, marched in procession to Eminönü Pier. Partizan took part carrying a banner bearing the slogan “All Anti-Imperialists of the World, Unite!” and signed by the Antiimperialist League (AIL). Throughout the march, Partizan readers chanted slogans such as “Long Live the People’s War Against Imperialism”, “Our Leader İbrahim Kaypakkaya” and “Freedom for the Prisoners Resisting NATO”. Partizan carried placards in the procession reading “Imperialism Is a Paper Tiger”, “Organise and Fight Against Imperialism”, and “Freedom for the Prisoners Resisting NATO”.
Throughout the march, the crowd chanted “You Are Not Wanted! NATO Means Impoverishment, Massacre and Destruction”, “Repression Cannot Intimidate Us, We Will Drive NATO Out”, “No to NATO, the Murderer of Peoples” were unfurled, whilst placards reading “NATO, Get Out”, “Trump and Netanyahu, You Are Not Wanted”, and “Murderer USA, Get Out of the Middle East” were also carried. During the march, slogans such as “Imperialists, Collaborators: Don’t Forget the 6th Fleet”, “Imperialism Will Be Defeated, the Resisting Peoples Will Win”, “Murderer NATO, Collaborator AKP”, “Long Live Revolution and Socialism” and “Detentions, Arrests and Repression Cannot Intimidate Us” were chanted.
The march gathered at the Kadıköy-Eminönü Pier. In their statement, anti-imperialist forces from various countries said first and foremost: “NATO has brought war to the whole of Europe. We are told that NATO will protect us, but NATO brings us death. Let us stand together and drive NATO out from everywhere. We support the struggle not for the profits of the capitalists, but for unceasing peace,” they said.
“THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN TURNED INTO AN OPEN-AIR PRISON”
Following speeches by representatives from international organisations, Serkan Genç read out the joint statement on behalf of the coordination group. Genç said, “There are only hours left until imperialism’s bloody summit; many socialists and revolutionaries have been arrested under the pretext of this summit. The country has been turned into an open-air prison.”
“NATO BRINGS DESTRUCTION AND WAR”
Stating that NATO aims to establish new theatres of war under the pretence of a new security architecture, Genç emphasised that NATO brings destruction and war to workers and peoples.
“RELEASE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED”
Despite the detentions and arrests, Genç emphasised that revolutionaries, progressives and patriots would respond to NATO, saying:
“All NATO bases must be closed. Turkey must withdraw from NATO immediately. NATO, an organisation of war and aggression, must be dismantled,” he said. Highlighting the need to put an end to the massive budget diverted from housing and social rights to military spending, Genç added, “Resisting this is not a crime. All our friends who have been arrested must be released. We call on all workers to join the struggle against the NATO summit.”
CALL TO CUT TIES WITH ISRAEL
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, he emphasised that Turkey must sever all economic and military ties with Zionist Israel.
Following the speeches, the crowd sang the ‘Çav Bella’ anthem in unison. The demonstration concluded with chants after the anthem was sung.
(NEWS CENTRE)
Source information: https://www.yenidemokrasi36.net/nato-yuzlerce-kisinin-katilimiyla-istanbulda-protesto-edildi/
