Mother Jones
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Skirmishes between protesters, police, and Turkish security personnel broke out in the streets of downtown Washington, DC, shortly before Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan was set to give a speech at the Brookings Institution.
ErdoÄŸan traveled to the Washington metro area to open a cultural center in Lanham, Maryland, attend the Nuclear Security Summit, and to meet with Vice President Joe Biden. His speech on Thursday, however, was overshadowed by what happened in the streets beforehand.
Crazy start to the Erdogan event at Brookings: One journalist physically removed by Turkish security personnel; another kicked by a guard
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen)
Never seen anything like this:a female protester just tackled. DC cops are in the street trying to keep Turkish guards from hurting folks
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen)
This is happening outside Brookings pic.twitter.com/dG4QQZ32xd
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen)
Really wondering if Erdogan will even show up given that his guards are tackling protesters and kicking journalists
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen)
Punches being thrown as a pro-Erdogan protester crosses the street pic.twitter.com/miKuUis88v
— Ali Watkins (@AliWatkins)
In front of Brookings for Turkish Pres. Erdogan speech, one of his security assaulted Brookings employee. It’s crazy
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary)
Turkish security coming pretty damn close to getting into fistfights with DC PD
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary)
Looks like Brookings staff escorting some journos into building to protect them from Erdogan’s goons threatening them
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary)
More –
Turkish President’s Arrival Brings Chaos to Downtown Washington
