Dozers, TOMAs in METU

Tensions rose early this morning in Ankara, as police and bulldozers confronted with a group of Middle East Technical University (METU) and local residents who were camping against the planed construction of a road through METU Forest borderline.  

Demolition teams were escorted by a fleet of police vehicles - TOMAs, Scorpions and detention busses. 15 demonstrators immediately formed up a human chain in order to block the demolition. 

Around 07:30 am local time, the police attack came - 15 were detained. After police intervention, demolition teams took up their work again. 

On August 25, a group of METU students set up tents on campus. Later on, police warned activists, saying that “they would intervene unless tents are removed”. Students responded the call positively, deciding to resume their protest without tents. 

“Sky is all we need,” some students cheered. While police withdrew, activist called for solidarity through social media on behalf of ODTU Resistance. (BK/HK/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.