Erdogan Observes Scuffles Between Security Guards and Protesters in Washington

Newly-released footage from the May 16 scuffles between Turkish security officials and anti-Erdogan protesters in Washington DC appears to show Turkish President Erdogan communicating to a member of his security team just before the fighting erupted.The US State Department on May 17 condemned the violence outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said</a>, “Violence is never an appropriate response to free speech, and we support the rights of people everywhere to free expression and peaceful protest. We are communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms.”A Metropolitan Police Department spokesman told The Hill</a> that two people were arrested at the demonstration outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence. Armenian and Kurdish groups had organized the demonstration to protest President Erdogan’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.This footage was released by Voice of America’s Turkish affiliate on May 18.