LONG BEACH — Several people stood united, June 9, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach to demand an end to police brutality in Turkey, as well as an end to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s threats to people.
Three people died and thousands were injured during protests in May and June in Turkey, where the government allegedly reacted violently during a peaceful protest to save Istanbul’s Gezi Park.
Within the course of Erdogan’s ten-year term, protestors say they have witnessed a steady erosion of civil rights including arrests of journalists, artists and elected officials. Freedom of speech, minorities’ and women’s rights are among some of the restriction protestors say that demonstrate that the ruling party is not serious about democracy.
Protesters connected to Gezi Park Taksim Istanbul Live and shared their support with them. On June 7, Erdogan was accused as being financed by interest rate arbitrators and foreign powers.