Demonstrations held outside White House in protest of Erdogan’s visit

The Kurdish, Greek and Armenian communities in Washington organized a demonstration outside the White House in protest of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the US and meeting with President Donald Trump.

According to the Voice of America Erdogan’s visit was accompanied by a demonstration at the Lafayette Park in Washington D.C.

Calls against Turkey’s policy, Erdogan’s visit and his reception at the White House were heard while the two presidents where meeting.

“Trump is giving him a level of respect he has not earned,” said Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America.

Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council said he is disappointed that Erdogan is honored with a red carpet at the White House, citing the Turkish leader’s numerous transgressions of American values and interests and his responsibility of attacking Americans on American soil, referring to Erdogan’s bodyguards’ infamous 2017 assault on peaceful protesters.

During the joint press conference with Trump, Erdogan spoke about the recently passed Armenian Genocide Resolution of the House of Representatives, describing it as “an insult to Turkish nation”. Erdogan said the resolution is harming the Turkish-American ties and he expressed hope that Senators will not endorse a similar resolution which is currently under consideration.

In the second part of the day some of the protesters gathered outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence, where the 2017 attack on demonstrators took place. Trump too has his share of guilt for the fact that Erdogan did not bear any responsibility for the incident, according to Hamparian.

“As a US President he must respect and protect Americans’ right to freedom of expression without intimidation in the capital city of Washington”.