Quasi-martial-law conditions in Ankara for NATO Summit

The 36th summit of NATO, will take place in Ankara on July 7-8. In the run-up to the summit, the Turkish government has introduced a series of restrictions that are bringing normal life in the capital close to a halt.

A Capital Under the Shadow of Restrictions

Covering the week of July 6-12, the circular authorizes extensive restrictions to be implemented by the Ankara Governor’s Office. These measures will affect a wide range of activities, from  protests to any public institutions to public evets and transportation arrangements throughout the city. Public employees across Ankara’s nine central districts will be placed on administrative leave during the summit week. However, personnel assigned specifically to NATO-related duties, along with workers in essential services such as healthcare, firefighting, transportation, and logistics, will continue working as normal.

It was announced that no demonstrations, protests, or actions would be permitted in the city between July 1st and 15th.

For the duration of the NATO summit, Ankara will effectively be emptied of much of its normal activity and transformed into a heavily secured zone.

"Preventive" Detentions Target Socialists

As the summit approaches, and while what critics describe as quasi-martial-law conditions are being imposed on the capital, socialists organizing anti-NATO protests have become the target of police operations across the country.

For the past two days, activists in several cities have been detained in dawn raids. Those targeted include socialists who have been organizing demonstrations against NATO and preparing protest actions to reject the summit.

The operations are intends to intimidate political activists and prevent possible demonstrations before they take place. Dozens of people have already been detained, and further arrests are expected as the summit draws nearer.

A Call for International Mobilization

Despite the repression, left-wing organizations united through various anti-NATO platforms and campaign groups continue preparations for protests that will take place across Turkey.

Demonstrations are planned in cities throughout the country, particularly in Ankara and Istanbul. Protesters are also planning marches to NATO military facilities and bases.

Campaigners have issued an international call for action on June 27, urging people around the world to take to the streets under the slogan: "NATO and Trump Out!"

NATO, militarization, imperialist wars, and growing repression must be coordinated internationally and expressed through mass mobilizations in every country.