The Youth of the Communist Party of Turkey (Türkiye Komünist Partisi-TKP) have recently made some big steps and reached important goals in their struggle in universities and high schools. For instance, communist youth have opposed policies imposing education fees or similarly those which create widespread lack of education. We wanted to tell the story of a successful campaign from a couple years ago, and alert readers to what we’re working on right now.
The Campaign Againt McDonald’s
In 1998 McDonalds opened a new restaurant in the Middle East Technical University (METU), which is renowned for anti-imperialist struggle in the 60’s and 70’s. Its stadium is even called “Revolution Stadium.�
The campaign to close down the McDonalds was really about symbolic defiance against US cultural, economic and political imperialism. Large protest rallies against McDonalds threatened the legitimacy of the company on campus. Over three years of struggle, students boycotted the restaurant, organized sit-ins, and created educational materials.
As a result of our efforts, the company was forced to shut down its branch in the university, retreating quietly on a cold winter day so as not to witness the celebrations.
During the campaign communist youth emphasized the importance of the anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist struggle in the universities. The communist youth also reached out to trade unions, local communities and the general public. We used the press, posters and stickers on the streets. One of the most supportive groups was the villagers of the Bergama region. The Bergama villagers were struggling at the time with a company which mined for gold using cyanide. Since McDonalds also profits from destroying the environment, this group found common cause with the communist youth
Istanbul closes the Door to NATO
The Turkish capital of Istanbul has been chosen as the location for the next summit of NATO, the North American Treaty Organization, in June 2004. NATO was originally an anti-communist organization, which the US and Europe used to destroy democratic movements and anti-colonial and socialist groups all over the world.
NATO found nothing wrong with using terror against communists. For instance, when Italy’s communist party reached 72% support in 1956, NATO launched ‘Operation Gladio’: a series of bomb attacks on civilians designed to create chaos in the country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO has become even more aggressive. We all remember the bombs that killed Serbian civilians in 1995.
The TKP Youth is involved in the Committees Against Occupation, an anti-war group that stands against the US occupation of Iraq and the Turkish government’s participation in it.
The Committees have started a campaign called “Istanbul is closing its doors to NATO.� We will not let this terrorist organization meet in our country to decide on plans for new crimes against humanity!
The Committees Against Occupation will not only protest the meeting but will take it upon itself to obstruct its activities. We hope to organize the whole Turkish people against the NATO summit through meetings, demonstrations, posters, announcements and various other means. A widespread signature campaign has just been initiated as the first step. More than one hundred thousand signatures have already been collected!
Recently, in Bogazici University, students emphatically warned NATO not to come to Istanbul. They physically blocked a visit from politicians who support NATO and the US occupation of Iraq.
The International Youth Camp
Young people from Turkey and all over the world will converge on Istanbul from June 28th to July 2nd for an international youth camp. The camp is supported by WFDY (World Federation of Democratic Youth), as well as many youth organizations around the world.
This kind of meeting, where young people from many countries make a political statement together, has never taken place in our country on such a large scale.
On June 28th, a massive demonstration against NATO will take place in Istanbul. The youth camp will be at the heart of the anti-imperialist struggle among youth.
Communist youth will continue their fight against capitalism, imperialism and reactionary forces. Our struggle will never cease, and our movement will grow as we unite with youth around the world to call for peace, equality and freedom.
Youth of the Communist Party of Turkey
Türkiye Komünist Partisi
www.tkp.org.tr
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