24.03.2025 15:51
The first statement regarding the controversial remarks made by ABB President Mansur Yavaş has arrived. Yavaş, who stated that he was "criticizing the double standard regarding the demonstration," said, "I criticized the fact that the tolerance displayed by the police at a rally is not shown in Istanbul's Saraçhane or Ankara's Kızılay, and that our youth are intervened with tear gas and water cannons."
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The first statement regarding the words of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş, which caused reactions, is as follows: "Yesterday, while flags that I consider rags were waved somewhere in the east, while the police were handing out cotton candy to those going to that rally, we expect the same treatment here."
"I CRITICIZED THE DOUBLE STANDARD"
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş stated that his words, which caused controversy, were distorted. Yavaş said, "I am closely watching those who are trying to politicize my speech in Saraçhane by distorting it. My speech is very clear: I criticized the double standard regarding the right to protest, which is guaranteed by the Constitution."
"I WANTED THE SAME TOLERANCE TO BE SHOWN IN SARAÇHANE AND KIZILAY"
Yavaş stated, "I criticized the fact that the tolerance shown by the police at a rally was not shown in Istanbul Saraçhane or Ankara Kızılay, and that our youth were intervened with tear gas and water cannons. This criticism is a different treatment towards constitutional rights. We want equal application for everyone. Unfortunately, they have started a smear campaign with perception operations again. Yesterday they called me a 'PKK lover,' today they are targeting me as a 'Kurd enemy,' but no one should get their hopes up: We will neither succumb to these perceptions nor turn our backs on our people," he expressed.
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Yavaş recorded the following:
- I have always opposed the understanding that equates our Kurdish brothers with terrorism. I am still at the same point today.
Like every citizen who has made this land, our Kurdish citizens are our crown.
- The strong support we received in districts with a high Kurdish population in Ankara is a clear indication that our people have embraced this understanding.
Similarly, our stance against a bloody terrorist organization like the PKK is clear; we are in the same place today as we were yesterday.
- If this country is a rule of law, the constitution binds us all. The 3rd Article of the Constitution is clear: "The flag is the red flag with a white star and crescent as specified in the law."
"Our only flag is this, and its name is the Turkish Flag."
- Lastly, I wholeheartedly congratulate our police officer who made a disabled citizen happy, as I learned later.
- I would also like to express that we expect the same compassion from our security forces towards citizens who are protesting all over our country.
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