WASHINGTON, March 31 (Sputnik) – Protests became confrontational in front of the Brookings Institute in Washington, DC where security guards protecting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called protestors terrorists and tried to remove them from the premises.
Hours before Erdogan arrived to deliver a speech, protesters lined up on the opposite side of the street from the building where the Brookings institution is located, chanting accusations that Turkey was supporting terrorism, and specifically supporting the Islamic State terror group.
Early in the afternoon, a small group of protesters were approached by Erdogan’s security detail after reportedly shouting threats and cursed them.
Washington, DC police and the US Secret Service stepped between the two sides.
In a heated back-and-forth between US security and Turkish security, Erdogan’s guards referred to the protestors as “terrorists.”
US security argued that the protesters were effectively “contained” by the Washington, DC police officers, and stated the security officers should be “professional” or face arrest.
A number of protesters crossed the street with a sign threatening the overthrow of the Erdogan government and were immediately approached by Turkish security officers who tore up the sign.
One protester, an American of Turkish descent, was grabbed and dragged by Turkish security, repeatedly called a “whore” and threatened with arrest, before Washington, DC police stepped in to stop the physical altercation.
A number of journalists informed Sputnik that they were removed from the event venue by Erdogan’s personal security detail, despite having been approved and credentialed before the event.
One opposition Turkish journalist, who now lives in the United States, was thrown out of the Brookings event despite being credentialed. He alleged that he was kicked by Erdogan’s security detail and had a small, bleeding gash on his shin.
On Tuesday, Erdogan arrived in Washington for the Nuclear Security Summit taking place on today and Friday. According to the US Department of State, Erdogan will meet with Vice President Joe Biden during his stay.
