As we pulled into our community last night police had begun to set up across the street in front of the Dutch Embassy. Tolga checked the news and found that today the Turkish ministers were prevented from entering Holland to hold a rally in support of a referendum coming up April 16th. The vote is in regards to a bill that will essentially give the Turkish president all the power...a situation that I am not allowed to comment on...
Anyhow, the blocking of the rally in Holland began protesting that turned into riots in response. The Holland embassy is caddy-corner from our apartment complex and they were expecting protests here as well.
It was like the state was being set.
Police came. Water canons came. Bus loads of riot police. Fences. Then they waited.
And the people came. As if on cue. The cars began parking on the boulevard, people pouring out with Turkish flags waving. Music. News vans. Spotlights. A political van advertising to "vote Yes" for the referendum.
Through the night - maybe only 300-400 people gathered. The US embassy always warns against these protests - to avoid them because they can be targets or turn violent. But I saw a woman with elementary age kids. And it was 1am.
I don't know what time the crowd dispersed - but Tolga woke up later and they were still going strong.
Today the police have organized themselves better and set up a perimeter. Waiting for the evening news I guess.
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