Anti-privatization students attacked by ultranationalists

Students protesting the privatization of the sports complex at Ankara University's Cebeci Campus were attacked. A scuffle broke out between student groups holding a press statement declaring, "We are students, not customers," and ultranationalist groups who intervened from outside.

At Ankara University's Cebeci Campus, university students protesting the leasing of the sports field and fitness center to a private sports club for a period of three years were attacked during a press statement they organized within the campus.

The students voiced their reaction to the administration's decision to open sports facilities to a private company, stating, "We are students, not customers." During their statement, a group that approached the area and identified themselves as 'ultranationalists' (ülkücü) physically intervened against the students. During the scuffle that took place on campus, some students were attacked; the incident was recorded moment by moment by security cameras and the mobile phones of students in the vicinity.

Despite what happened, the students continued their statement and used the following expressions:

“The Cebeci Sports Hall is a common area for students. Universities are not businesses, and students are not customers. We will not bow down to privatization policies and the commercialization of campuses.” 

The students shared footage of the moment of the attack on their social media accounts, expressing their reaction to both the university administration and the attacking group.