Turkish Workers, Police Clash at Rally

March 18, 2001 - 0:0
ANKARA Members of a Turkish Workers' Union scuffled with police on Saturday before a meeting to unveil a protest plan against a government program designed to overcome a financial crisis. Reuters quoted state-run Anatolian News Agency as saying a senior member of the Public Sector Workers Union (KESK), Cafer Akpinar, received a head injury during the brief clash in central Ankara. Anti-riot police confiscated placards that KESK members carried, it said. The agency said the clash occurred as KESK members tried to join other trade unionists gathered outside Parliament. Demonstrators read out a joint statement pledging daily nationwide protests from early next month if the government ignores their appeals.