A bipartisan group of legislatures are urging the State Department and Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police to protect protesters demonstrating against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his visit on Wednesday.
In two separate letters, the lawmakers criticized Turkish security officers who attacked protesters during Erdoğan’s visit to the capitol in 2017 and asked law enforcement to ensure the safety of those speaking out against the Turkish president.
{mosads}The effort was led by Republican conference chairwoman Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.). Forty lawmakers signed the letters.
At least 16 Turkish security officers were identified by police for allegedly assaulting protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence on May 16, 2017. Footage of the incident captured on video showed Erdoğan’s security guards rushing into the crowd of demonstrators.
“The United States Constitution guarantees the right of free assembly and free speech. I stand with these protestors and encourage law enforcement to provide all the necessary safeguards against violence,” Pallone said in a statement. “It’s absurd that a sitting American President has invited a leader who promotes human rights abuses. Let’s show President Erdogan how a real democracy works and protect the individuals who are lawfully protesting the Turkish dictator and his autocratic regime.”
While charges were dropped against 11 security officers, four warrants remain outstanding including two additional warrants for Canadian citizens who also took part in the fighting. Two Americans were arrested and found guilty on charges of assaulting protesters.
Following the 2017 attack, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the violence by the Turkish officers and calling for their prosecution.