The umbrella platform Coordination for No to War in Iraq, bringing together 158 civic groups Thursday took to the streets to protest against ongoing United States' (US) attack on Iraq.
The protestors gathered in downtown Taksim Square at noon time and marched down to seaside Dolmabahce, site to anti-American protests of 1968 against the US 6th Fleet. Shouting slogans of "Down with US Imperialism", "Dont remain silent, scream no to war", "General strike, general resistance against the war", "Bıji Bıratiya Gelan" (in Kurdish "Long live the fraternity of the peoples"), "Everywhere is Baghdad, we are all Iraqis".
Universalize peace
As the crowd marched by Istanbul Technical University, students showed support, hanging a huge "Yankee go home" banner from one of the university buildings.
In a public press statement at Dolmabahce, Confederation of Public Service Trade Unions (KESK) president Sami Evren said: "The US wants to universalize imperialism, death, destruction and fear; and we shall universalize freedom and peace".
What they call "National interests"
Evren, also criticized the businessmens associations who urge the Turkish government for closer military cooperation with the United States.
* "What they call national interests are their own interests. What they call stability is their own stability. Governments who serve these interests are their governments. This is why US and England are allowed to use Turkish airspace.
* Those who are seeking contracts for the rebuilding of the Umm Kasr port are the same people who are urging to sacrifice Turkish people for international capitalists interests.
* We are calling all our people, all peoples of the world, all peoples of the Middle East to resist and struggle against the US." (BE/EK)
