HUNDREDS of people from Bournemouth’s Turkish community came out to protest the recent violence in cities across Turkey. 

More than 200 people gathered outside the town hall in support of protestors in Turkey, following days of fierce clashes after a police crackdown on a peaceful gathering.

The large group, which included families and youngsters with posters, then made their way to the town centre where they continued their chanting, making shoppers stop in their tracks to hear what they were saying.

Chants included “Turkey, you are not alone” and signs with messages saying “Resistance against the dictator” and “Turkish media wake up” were also waved.

The protest comes after demonstrations in Istanbul following a violent police crackdown on anti-government protests in the city spread across the country.

Thousands of people had flooded Istanbul's main square yesterday after a crackdown on anti-government protests turned city streets into a battlefield clouded by tear gas, in scenes reminiscent of the Arab Spring.

In Bournemouth, resident Muge Hooper told people: “Thousands of people who come from different social, economic and religious backgrounds – just like us here – have been gathering to protest the authoritarian leadership of Turkish Government and to ask for Turkish citizens’ democratic rights to be upheld.”

She added: “Thanks to social media, I knew more about what has been happening here in our Turkey in the last few days than my family and friends who live there.

“It makes me proud to think that people so far away from their own country have gathered here today in support of their fellow citizens to emphasise the unjustified behaviour of the Turkish government.

“Perhaps our protest will help to wake up the Turkish government to realise that the international eyes are watching them.”

However, some people trying to enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon were less impressed.
Mum Raven Carlton, from Poole, was out in the gardens with her family.

She said: “They drove us out of the gardens because of all the noise they were making.
“A lot of people were annoyed by it.

“We wanted to take a walk through the gardens but they were very loud.”