TKP protest in front of the Grand National Assembly: We are here to say 'no' to NATO expansion

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) held a protest in front of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) today against the regulation regarding Sweden's NATO membership, which is set to be discussed in the General Assembly.

Speaking at the protest, where slogans such as "Seize the bases, NATO get out" and "Killer USA, get out of our country" were chanted, TKP Central Committee Member and Ankara Provincial Chair Ali Ufuk Arikan said, "As long as there are patriots and communists in this country, they can vote as much as they want in Parliament, they can play at being pro-NATO as much as they want. They will see communists, patriots, and the working people of this country standing against them."

"WE ARE HERE TO SAY 'NO' TO NATO EXPANSION"

Highlights from Arikan's speech are as follows:

"We are here for the vote to be held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey regarding the expansion of the terrorist organization NATO. Today, they will vote on the expansion of the terrorist organization NATO in Parliament. Those who said 'the Palestinian people are dying' just yesterday are now voting to expand and strengthen the footprint of NATO and the US, which are behind the bombs dropped in Palestine. However, the working people of this country exist, and we are here today to say 'no' to the expansion of the terrorist organization NATO.

"NATO BASES AND US BASES WILL BE KICKED OUT"

On one hand, they say 'NATO is a plague on our heads,' and on the other, they open every corner of our country to US soldiers and NATO soldiers. Those who fight for the people of this country and for this country's independence will kick NATO out of the country. We promise; we will kick out NATO, which is a plague on our country. We promise; NATO bases and US bases will be kicked out.

As long as there are patriots and communists in this country, they can vote as much as they want in Parliament, they can play at being pro-NATO as much as they want. They will see communists, patriots, and the working people of this country standing against them.

"WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL NOT A SINGLE US SOLDIER REMAINS IN THIS COUNTRY"

During the Finland meeting, some said they forgot to attend the meeting in Parliament, while others raised both hands and said 'yes.' The AKP, the CHP, and the MHP all lined up behind NATO.

The independence and the people of this country are not for sale. We will fight until not a single NATO soldier or a single US soldier remains in this country. We are here to declare this. We came here today to make a promise. That promise is the promise of our working people. We will kick out NATO and we will rebuild the country of the working people once again."