In a few moments, Turkey’s president Recep Erdogan will address the Brookings center with a speech titled “Global challenges and Turkey’s goals for the year 2023.” The speech can be watched below:
#Erdogan pulls up at @BrookingsInst as protestors intensify #Brookings pic.twitter.com/8J92h4ws1X
— Fa-Shen Vincent Wang (@ironchokolate) March 31, 2016
However, the major news is not Erdogan’s speech, but what is taking place just before it, and how it puts any treatment of a Trump protest to shame.
According to FP, the speech descended into violence and chaos Thursday, with one journalist physically removed from the event site by Turkish security personnel, another kicked by a guard, and a third — a woman — thrown to the sidewalk in front of a Washington think tank where he was to speak.
A small group of protesters gathered across the street from the Brookings Institute near Dupont Circle in Washington, with one holding a large sign reading “Erdogan: War Criminal On The Loose,” while another used a megaphone to chant that he was a “baby-killer.”
When the protesters tried to cross the street, Washington police officers blocked traffic and physically separated them from Turkish personnel. A Secret Service agent standing nearby told a colleague that “the situation is a bit out of control.”
This is happening outside Brookings pic.twitter.com/dG4QQZ32xd
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen) March 31, 2016
Later, a shoving match between what appeared to be a Brookings Institute worker and Turkish security broke out. “I am in charge of this building,” the apparent Brookings employee shouted as the two tangled. A Foreign Policy reporter and others holding cameras outside the event were also scolded by Turkish security. One cameraman was chased across the street by Turkish guards.
There were also confrontations between Turkish security and D.C. police. The Turkish officials wanted police to remove protesters, and the cops refused.
As Turkish journalist Ilhan Tanir tweets, as this exact moment, in front of the Brookings Institute, Erdogan bodyguards are attacking journos, yelling, “traitors” and breaking up protests.
Some pictures – in front of Brookings — Erdogan bodyguards attacking journos, yelling: “traitors” https://t.co/tymd93HBUA
— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 31, 2016
A tweet showing an American journalist attacked by Erdogan details moments ago in front of Brookings
Here is American journalist attacked by Erdogan details moments ago in front of Brookings pic.twitter.com/PRnrtGWhGK
— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 31, 2016
Here is Erdogan’s security seizing a banner from protestors, and ripping it apart.
Erdogan’s security seized some kind of banner from protestors, rips it apart – Brookings #Erdogan speech pic.twitter.com/7oAxxmQc1U
— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 31, 2016
And here is Turkish security trying to kick a journalist out even as Brookings security protects the journalist.
Here: Turkish security tries to kick a journalist out. Brookings security protects the journalist. Moments ago pic.twitter.com/k0mATo3fh8
— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 31, 2016
shouting obscenities at me & trying to scare me by taking my photos. Great ambassadors for my country #Turkey https://t.co/ugRCVj1x0n
— Amberin Zaman (@amberinzaman) March 31, 2016
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