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Free speech. Freedom to assemble. These are two important parts of American society, but they apparently have no place on American soil when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is around. For the second time, his bodyguards and supporters used violence against peaceful protesters, this time at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square in New York City.
The Turkish leader is in town for the United Nations summit. Earlier in the day, President Trump gave him “very high marks” during a press conference.
“We have a great relationship as countries,” President Trump said. “I think right now we’re as close as we have ever been and I think a lot of that has to do with personal relationships.”
While being an “ally” and a member of NATO, Turkey has been increasingly aggressive with their outreach to countries opposed to the United States. They recently signed a deal to put Russian S-400 air defense missiles on their soil and have been reaching out to other BRICs nations to normalize trade relations.
This latest round of violence follows indictments against 19 people, including 15 members of Erdogan’s security detail, for attacks against peaceful protesters on U.S. soil in May. President Trump declined to answer questions about the indictments at the press conference, but President Erdogan said the U.S. President apologized to him. The White House denied it.
Perspectives
Violence erupts during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech in New York | Ariella Phillips, Washington Examiner
According to the New York Times, the New York Police Department reported that at about five protesters were “briefly” detained but not arrested. No injuries were reported to police.
Trump says Turkish president gets ‘very high marks’ | Nolan McCaskill, Politico
“It’s a great honor and privilege — because he’s become a friend of mine — to introduce President Erdogan of Turkey,” Trump told reporters. “He’s running a very difficult part of the world. He’s involved very, very strongly and, frankly, he’s getting very high marks.”
MORE VIOLENCE against anti-Erdogan protesters on U.S. soil!!! [VIDEO] | SooperMexican, The Right Scoop
It’s pretty terrible that this tinpot dictator thinks he can beat up whoever he wants on American soil – hopefully they won’t get away with it this time either…
Trump Praises Erdogan, Ignores Question On Beaten Peaceful Protesters – Talking Points Memo
A reporter shouted a question about “violence against peaceful protesters,” seemingly a reference to several of Erdogan’s guards and others who viciously beat peaceful protesters during Erdogan’s U.S. visit earlier in the year. Fifteen Turkish security officials and four others were subsequently indicted in connection to the beatings outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in DC. None of the Turkish guards have been arrested.
Erdogan claims Trump apologized over bodyguard attack – Axios
The quote: “Actually President Trump called me about a week ago about this issue. He said that he was sorry and he told me he was going to follow up about this issue when we come to the United States within the framework of an official visit. The protesters were insulting us, and they were screaming and shouting. The police failed to intervene properly.”
White House denies Trump apologized to Erdogan – CNNPolitics
The White House denies that President Donald Trump called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for the violent incident that unfolded outside of the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington in mid-May when Erdogan’s bodyguards and supporters attacked peaceful protesters.
Reactions
In #NewYork American protestor in #YPG shirt 2 #Erdogan : You are a terrorist.Get out of my country. Then Turk crowd and bodyguards beat him pic.twitter.com/r2WgVy7ix7
— Nomad نومَد (@kroslav) September 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/burakamed/status/910936379173097472
https://twitter.com/burakamed/status/910936379173097472
One can see what #Erdogan ’s thinking: You’d be dead if we were in #Turkey or #Qatar (where his army are).pic.twitter.com/6lGUQdYDtZ
— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) September 22, 2017
Former American and YPG supporters protested #Erdogan during his speech..#teroristerdogan pic.twitter.com/CH1H1Jj8Pa
— Sue Zelal Yavuz (@SueZelalYavuz) September 22, 2017
Video footage shows bodyguards of #Turkey president #Erdogan beating an american citizen in #NewYork while Erdogan was giving a speech. pic.twitter.com/bEYrSv2Bn1
— Guido Mastrangelo (@GuidoGma) September 21, 2017
Final Thoughts
This is just another indicator that the relationship between Turkey and the United States is deteriorating. The sooner we realize they do not want to be our friends except when it’s convenient, the more likely it is we can establish a contentious yet realistic and peaceful relationship. It’s time to stop pretending we’re friends.
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