Turks protest Turkish flag ban in Austria after failed coup attempt
VIENNA - Anadolu Agency
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Turks living in Austria took to the streets to protest a ban on flying Turkish flags at residences after the failed coup attempt on July 15, which was blamed on the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ).“The threat about the removal of Turkish flags is completely a provocation,” said Meral Karataş from the Social Democrat Party in the municipal council of Wiener Neustadt.
She added that protesters just wanted to show their democratic feelings and thoughts about the coup attempt.
Karataş also said Wiener Neustadt Mayor Schneeberger had refused a proposal to meet Turkish associations amid tough restrictions.
She said that the municipal government wanted to take away the concrete achievements of the Turkish society with the flag ban, noting that there could be a cut in social benefits to those who do not know the German language.
Schneeberger had sent a letter to Turkish civil society organizations and public housing management saying that all Turkish flags hung from the balconies must be removed and asked those who refused to remove Turkish flags to leave the country.
