(LOS ANGELES, CA – 10/2/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today strongly condemned the reported assault by protesters on Turkish diplomats and staff following a conference on Turkish foreign policy held at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
On Friday, Sept. 29, Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan, as well as other Turkish diplomats and staff, attended a conference at USC discussing the “Role of Public Diplomacy in Turkish Foreign Policy.” Armenian students and community members demonstrated their objections to the timing of the conference, which came in the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh collapse.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the protesters are seen yelling while throwing bottles of what appears to be water and violently assaulting the Turkish officials. Several protesters back Professor Ismail Demirezen, the Religious Attaché at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles, into a corner and physically attack him as he attempts to defend himself.
The U.S. Diplomatic Security Unit and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) prevented the incident from escalating further.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We unequivocally condemn any form of violence or harassment targeting individuals based on their national origin, ethnicity, or diplomatic affiliations. We extend our thoughts and support to Professor Demirezen, who was among those subjected to this assault.
“In times of tension and conflict, it becomes even more crucial that all activist individuals and organizations uphold the values of peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and mutual respect.
“We commend the swift response of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Unit and the LAPD and look forward to those responsible being held accountable for their actions.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com