As patriotic citizens, republicans, revolutionaries, and communists raise their voices against the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on 7–8 July, the Ankara Governor's Office has announced a decision that effectively amounts to declaring a state of emergency in the city for 13 days. Under the decision, all public meetings and demonstrations in the city are prohibited.
Communist Party of Turkey protests NATO "measures"
The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) had previously announced that it would hold a rally in Ankara's TandoÄźan Square on 5 July under the slogan: "NATO is dishonour and death. Long live life, independence, and socialism."
While extensive preparations for the rally are continuing across the country, the Governor's decision effectively means that the people of Ankara are to be confined to their homes because of the NATO Summit.
The TKP has taken the necessary legal steps by filing a lawsuit demanding the immediate suspension and annulment of the Governor's decision. In its legal filing, the party argues in 26 separate points that the Governor's order is unlawful from beginning to end.
In its statement, the TKP declared: "Neither NATO representatives nor their collaborators are the owners of this country. On this occasion, we once again call upon all patriots, republicans, and honorable people of our country to join together in strengthening the struggle against imperialism."
Citizens gather in protest
On Thursday, 25 June, a press statement was delivered on Mesnevi Street, at the entrance to the first phase of Dikmen Valley, in protest against the planned closure of public parks due to French President Emmanuel Macron's scheduled morning run.
For some time, public debate in Ankara had centered on which park would be closed to accommodate Macron's morning jog. Describing these developments as an affront to national dignity, the People's Representatives' Assembly of Dikmen, part of the People's Representatives' Assembly of Turkey (THTM), held a press statement in front of Dikmen Valley. TKP took part in the protest.
Later, people of Dikmen gathered under the slogan “This country belongs to us” against NATO, at Aşık Mahzuni Şerif Park.
At the invitation of the People's Representatives Assembly of Turkey (THTM), residents of Ankara came together to discuss the restrictions, obstacles, and practices that have turned the city into what they described as an “open-air prison” in recent days. They also discussed NATO’s history, its role in Turkey and the world from past to present, and the threats it poses for the future.