Anti-NATO Protesters Dragged on The Ground

Members of the activist umbrella “Union against NATO and Bush” protested NATO on the last day of the Istanbul summit on Tuesday. Police fired gas cannons and beat some demonstrators with clubs. Many people were roughed up and detained during the clashes, which lasted for about two hours.

More than 1,000 protesters chanted, "Murderer NATO, get out of Istanbul," "We will not bow to pressures," and "We will make Istanbul hell for NATO." They also condemned the police intervention during the demonstrations on Monday.

"Those opposing war, torturers and imperialists were injured and poisoned by police," the Union said in their statement. "Despite all these attacks, we are still shouting: 'Murderer USA, murderer NATO, get out of the Middle East.'"

The Union is made up of 138 non-governmental organizations.

In its statement, the Union also said that the police tried to protect NATO and Bush from the furious people. "NATO is the murderer of peoples, the creator of the fascist dictators," added the statement.

Police fired gas cannons at the group, which started walking toward the Tunel Square after the press statement. Some demonstrators were beaten up with clubs. The shopkeepers in the area closed down their shops until things calmed down.

Many people felt faint after the police fired gas cannons. Ambulances did not arrive at the Istiklal Street for a long time. A person, claiming he was a doctor, attempted to take care of the people who were badly affected by gas cannons. However, he was dragged away by the police and detained. Police also prevented journalists who tried to cover the incidents.

Police tried to stop the group again in the Sishane district.

Around 12:30 p.m., the members of the Union of Workers of Ports, Shipyards and Ships, gathered in the Galatasaray Square to protest the NATO Summit.

Members of the Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) and Party of Labour (EMEP) supported the protest. The group shouted, "Barricades not to prevent people, but to prevent NATO," "Murderer NATO, get out of Istanbul."

KESK head Sami Evren, in a statement on behalf of KESK, said they would not accept the Istanbul communiqué of the NATO summit. He said the people had written their own communiqué and announced it on the streets. "The Justice and Development Party does not have the right to bargain the people of Turkey," added Evren.

When a group of protesters walked up to the police barricades at the Galatasaray Square, clashes broke out. Police, by firing gas cannons and tear gas, dispersed the crowd toward the Tunel Square. The people on the street, journalists, and police officers were also badly affected by the tear gas. Some journalists and demonstrators tried to protect themselves by wearing gas masks.

Ambulances took a long time to arrive at the scene. People, affected from the gas reacted against the police. Some 40 people were detained during the incidents. (OG/BB)