Police block teachers' 'interview' protest in Ankara: Press prevented from filming

In Ankara, members of the Private Sector Teachers' Union and teachers who were victims of the interview system, protesting the results, attempted to march to the Ministry of National Education (MEB) following a press statement they held in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Police teams blocked the teachers' path as they attempted to begin their march, using pepper spray and shields in a harsh intervention.

During the intervention, it was observed that the police made significant efforts to prevent the press from filming the scene.

THEY WANTED TO MARCH TO THE MEB

Teachers' unions and teachers who have not been appointed and were victims of the interview system gathered in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance to protest their economic rights and the injustices in the interview system. After completing their press statement there, the group wanted to begin a peaceful march toward the Ministry of National Education building to convey their demands.

However, security forces blocked the group's path, citing that the march was not legal. Police teams intervened against the group, which did not disperse, using shields.

"THEY ARE RAISING THEIR SHIELDS SO THAT NO FOOTAGE IS TAKEN"

At the moment of the intervention, police teams formed a barricade in front of journalists to prevent members of the press in the area from filming. The voices of the teachers, who remained under a police blockade, echoed through the streets. These cries rose from within the blockade:

"The police are currently using violence against us inside! The shields are being intentionally raised so that this violence being inflicted from the outside is not filmed and citizens do not see it!"

REACTION FROM THE UNION AND TEACHERS: "YOU WILL NOT SILENCE US"

Following the police intervention, many teachers were surrounded and removed from the area, while representatives of the Private Sector Teachers' Union reacted sharply to the situation. The teachers emphasized that they would continue to make their voices heard and continue their struggle until the right to a base salary, secure working conditions, and the injustice of the interview system are brought to an end.