Turkish Communists Demand Release of 145 Arrested in Anti-NATO Protests

The Turkish Communist Party (TKP) has issued a strong statement demanding the immediate release of 145 party members arrested during anti-NATO demonstrations in Ankara, Kocaeli, and Soma. The arrests occurred prior to a NATO summit.

The TKP asserted that protesting NATO is not a crime but a responsibility, particularly as global tensions rise with conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine. The party criticized the ruling AKP government for attempting to criminalize dissent against NATO while these crises unfold. They stated their refusal to accept such characterization, emphasizing that NATO cannot be absolved of its historical role in coups, political assassinations, massacres, and occupations through ministerial or gubernatorial decrees.

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'Fighting NATO is not a crime, but a responsibility,' we said. The AKP government is trying to define protesting NATO as a crime.

"They are trying to scare our patriots with the NATO flag," the TKP declared, contrasting the current government's stance with past criticisms of NATO and Western powers following the 2016 coup attempt. The party argued that the fundamental nature of NATO and its "masters" has not changed since Turkey's 1952 accession. They accused the government of pursuing regional power status under the influence of imperialist countries, led by the U.S., while employing nationalist rhetoric.

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They are trying to scare our patriots with the NATO flag.

The TKP reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to opposing imperialism and its institutions, including NATO. They highlighted a history of resistance, citing past actions against the U.S. Sixth Fleet, foreign bases, regional interventions, and ongoing wars. The party celebrated the widespread support for their Ankara protest, viewing it as proof that Turkey's independent and anti-imperialist spirit remains strong despite government efforts to suppress it.

"Our primary duty is to change the course of history," the TKP stated, vowing to continue the struggle until Turkey is free from imperialism, multinational corporations, and exploitation. They acknowledged that while their protests, numbering in the thousands despite bans and restrictions, send a message, the fight for true independence is far from over.

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Our primary duty is to change the course of history.