August 30, 2006

Turkish Police attacked students demonstrating at the national August 30th celebrations against troop deployment to Lebanon. The members of the large university student organization “Student Collectives” opend a banner that read, “We will not be the foot soldiers of Israel!” marched to voice the most popular political decision of the people against the governments decision to deploy troops to Lebanon as demanded by the US and Israel.

The Chief of Police in Istanbul, Celalettin Cerrah who was later quoted as saying, “The reaction of the people against the students was a justified and a beautiful action,” heads the police force that provoked the spectators to attack the peaceful students. Encouraged by the police to attack, some spectators also joined the plain clothes in the beating. After the initial lynching attempt, many people later pulled back in embarrassment when they understood what the students were demonstrating for. The deployment of troops to Lebanon is only supported by the government, the army and the right wing rich capitalists. The entire democratic mass organizations have condemned the JDP (Justice Development Party) government for buckling to the demands of Israel and the US.

The Press Release of the Student Collectives

To our people and the press,

Our members joined the August 30th national day parade to protest he decision of the JDP government to deploy troops to Lebanon.

The students, approaching the official stands, opened a banner that read, “We Will Not be the Foot Soldiers of Israel!- Student Collectives” The students made speeches explaining that sending troops to Lebanon meant being a partner in this imperialist war and the illegal occupation. They chanted, “No Troops to Lebanon!” Because of this, our friends have been arrested by the Turkish government.

We, as the Student Collectives, believe that sending our soldiers to Lebanon will get our country involved as a party on the side of Israel and US in the ongoing war in the Middle East. We know that in its quest to collaborate with imperialism, the JDP government of Turkey will not hesitate to pit our people against our brothers and sisters in the neghboring countries nor will it hesitate to participate in the massacres committed in the region.

This country refused to participate in the Iraq war on March 1st 2003. Today, our hearts beat with the people of Lebanon and Palestine. As university students, we will not allow this country to be a partner in the war or the occupation.

We will continue our struggle against the government’s decision to deploy tropps in Lebanon.

Student Collectives

Below, you will find the pictures published in the daily Milliyet’s web site documenting the police attack against peaceful students.
www.milliyet.com

MB