A massive protest by Turkish Uyghurs was staged in Istanbul on Saturday to protest grotesque human rights violations by China on the occasion of its 73rd National Day. On October 1, Uyghur NGOs and the Uyghur community in Istanbul celebrated China’s National Day as the beginning of an era of occupation, persecution, starvation, and inhuman crimes against the peoples of East Turkestan, reported India Blooms. Uyghur NGOs protested near the Chinese Consulate in the Sariyer district of Istanbul against the Chinese policies of assimilation and genocide.
Uyghur protestors numbering around 1000–1200 included all sections of the Uyghur community, including women, children, and the elderly, reported India Blooms.Uyghur leaders spearheading the protest included Hidayetullah Oghuzhan-President of East Turkestan Education and Solidarity Association (ETESA), Abduselam Teklimakan-President of East Turkestan New Generation Movement (ETNGM).