Nuri Odemis from BAK, Ekber Isik from the Union Against NATO and Bush, and Suleyman Baba from the Committees Against Invasion, in a press statement, said they had taken this decision to be able to make their voices heard.
The three groups will support each other in demonstrations and activities throughout June against NATO, aggressive policies by U.S. President George W. Bush, the Greater Middle East Initiative and the invasion in Iraq. They called on everyone who is against invasion and torture, to participate in demonstrations.
Baba said they would meet with officials from the governor's office next week to decide on a place to hold demonstrations. He said holding the demonstrations at a place like Taksim, where people from a wide variety of sections of society could go, would be meaningful. Baba said it was unacceptable that the police would ban all entries and exits from Taksim during the NATO summit. He said they would voice the criticisms of those who do not want to live in "banned regions."
"Grand meeting" on June 27
Anti-war activists will prepare for the NATO summit throughout June with concerts, press statements and by collecting signatures. On June 27, the activists will stage a demonstration they call, "Grand meeting against Invasion, NATO and Bush."
Baba said they had invited all labor organizations to participate in the demonstration and added that they expected everyone, who does not want to see people that turn the world into bloodshed, in their country.
"Us, the Committees Against Invasion, BAK, and Union against NATO and Bush, announce that we are standing by the people of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan against imperialism. We are calling on all patriotic and are pro-humanity circles to take action against invasion, torture and genocide policies. We reject the shameful attitudes of forces that rule Turkey."
There is demonstration wherever Bush is
Political parties, non-governmental organizations, professional groups and individuals are supporting BAK, Union Against NATO and Bush and Committees Against Invasion.
The Turkish Architects and Engineers Chambers' Union (TMMOB) has also decided to participate in anti-NATO demonstrations.
During the April preparatory meeting in Istanbul ahead of the European Social Forum, the participants decided that the week of the NATO summit would be the "Global Action Week." As part of the decision, anti-war activists from all over the world, and especially from Europe, will participate in the protests in Istanbul. Bush, who will be in Italy on June 4, will be protested in this country and in the United States the next day. Bush will be met with protests in every country he travels to. (EA/YE)
