Protest against Barrack in Ankara: 'Either go home or go to Syria'

A group of citizens, led by the Kızılcagün Platform, gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy building in the capital today. The demonstration, held as part of the platform's "Call for National Unity and Solidarity," was attended by representatives of various political parties, retired military personnel, and prominent figures from non-governmental organizations.

The group expressed their discomfort with the recent statements made by U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack regarding Turkey's internal affairs. Among the participants were retired Colonel Alican Türk, Republican Patriots Party Chairman Serkan Öz, IYI Party Bursa Deputy Selçuk Türkoğlu, Doğru Party Deputy Chairman Arda Ateş, and National Thought Center President Hakan Paksoy.

The press statement was read by retired Colonel Orkun Özeller. In his statement, Özeller noted that Barrack's declarations constituted an interference with the sovereign rights of the Republic of Turkey.

Özeller stated that they are in favor of establishing good relations with the U.S.; however, he expressed that the U.S.'s policies toward Turkey from the past to the present contradict the idea of a strategic partnership. He criticized the American administration on many issues, ranging from the support provided to the PKK to the harboring of FETÖ in the U.S. Emphasizing Barrack's "strong monarchy" comment, Özeller stated that such expressions are unacceptable and said, "These statements show a failure to recognize Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish nation."

Arguing that Ambassador Barrack's words regarding the integration of Kurds under the heading of a "Terror-free Turkey" also pose a threat to Turkey's unitary state structure, Özeller included the following words in his statement:

“May 19, 1919, was the day, exactly 107 years ago, when the struggle that tore apart the ambitions of imperialist powers over our country began. The Turkish nation showed the whole world that it is a nation that says ‘Either independence or death’ and does not transfer its sovereign rights. Tom Barrack, because of your remarks that exceed your limits, either go home or go to the Syrian territory where you are assigned!”

The statement also criticized Barrack's assessments regarding the Halki Seminary, Turkey-Israel relations, and nation-states. The participants called out to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, demanding that the U.S. Ambassador be declared “persona non grata (unwanted person).”

Those who participated in the demonstration expressed that they would not remain silent against the U.S.'s interventionist stance toward Turkey's sovereignty and Republican values.