As university students participating in the Ekrem İmamoğlu protests across Turkey frequently face off with the police, footage of interventions involving pepper spray is drawing backlash.
One of the figures defending the right of young people to take to the streets to seek their rights is Memleket Party Chairman Muharrem İnce. Addressing the Minister of Interior and Provincial Police Chiefs in a post, İnce stated the following:
"I am addressing the Minister of Interior and the Provincial Police Chiefs: I walked with our youth today and saw that they are all clean, bright, they love their country, their homeland, and their nation, and they are trying to freely exercise their constitutional rights. Do not touch the youth! They are the future, the hope, and the strength of this country.
Young people, I am speaking to you as your teacher: Do not ever fall for the games of those trying to provoke you. Continue to exercise your constitutional rights peacefully, carrying your Turkish flags with pride. Your voice is very valuable in this country's struggle for justice and freedom. Maintain your calm and always demonstrate your righteous stance."
News Source: 12punto
