{"id":12209,"date":"2017-05-17T10:17:45","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T10:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=12209"},"modified":"2017-05-17T10:17:45","modified_gmt":"2017-05-17T10:17:45","slug":"washington-dc-mayor-condemns-erdogans-security-detail-led-assault-against-peaceful-protesters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=12209","title":{"rendered":"Washington DC Mayor Condemns Erdogan\u2019s Security Detail Led Assault against Peaceful Protesters"},"content":{"rendered":"

— State Department Offers \u201cWeak and Ineffective\u201d Response<\/strong><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Attacks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan\u2019s security detail against peaceful human rights protesters yesterday have been condemned by Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who, along with DC Police Chief Peter Newsham, has launched an investigation into the unprovoked beatings, reported the Armenian National Committee of America<\/a> (ANCA).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we saw yesterday \u2013 a violent attack on a peaceful demonstration \u2013 is an affront to DC values and our rights as Americans,\u201d said Mayor Bowser in a statement issued earlier today. \u201cI strongly condemn these actions and have been briefed by Chief Newsham on our response. The Metropolitan Police Department will continue investigating the incident and will work with federal partners to ensure justice is served.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police Chief Newsham stated, \u201cThe actions seen outside the Turkish Embassy yesterday in Washington, DC stand in contrast to the First Amendment rights and principles we work tirelessly to protect each and every day.” Noting that there have been two arrests already in the case, Newsham explained that \u201cwe have every intention to pursue charges against the other individual involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe commend Mayor Bowser and Police Chief Newsham for taking the lead in condemning this vicious attack on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC and look forward to working closely with federal and metropolitan law enforcement officials to ensure that justice is served,\u201d said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. \u201cPresident Erdogan may be able to get away with similar attacks and repression in Turkey \u2013 but we simply cannot allow him to export his brand of hatred and repression to our nation\u2019s capital or anywhere in the US.\u201d<\/p>\n

This afternoon, the State Department announced it was \u201cconcerned by the violent incidents involving protesters and Turkish Security personnel on Tuesday evening,\u201d stating that \u201cviolence is never an appropriate response to free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamparian condemned the State Department statement as \u201cweak and ineffective \u2013 and, frankly, embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently, as far as the State Department is concerned, there is no line that Recep Erdogan cannot cross,\u201d explained Hamparian. \u201cHe sent his goons to DC to rough up Americans and suppress the free speech rights of US citizens, and all the State Department can muster is a generic expression of opposition to violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamparian was videotaping live at the scene of the May 16th attack, which took place in front of the Turkish Ambassador\u2019s residence where, according to the Daily Caller, President Erdogan was scheduled to have a closed door meeting with representatives of The Atlantic Council, a leading think tank in Washington DC which receives funding from Turkey.<\/p>\n

Hamparian\u2019s video showed pro-Erdogan forces crossing a police line and beating peaceful protesters \u2013 elderly men and several women – who were on the ground bleeding during most of the attack.<\/p>\n