On the anniversary of the spilling of the 6th fleet into the seas, we should remember the spirit of resistance of the revolutionary youth in both Turkey and Kurdistan.
July 17, 1968, and the 6th Fleet
The hopes of revolution moved to Turkey in 1968, when the youth of ’68, pioneered by Deniz Gezmis, carried out an anti-imperialist action against the USA which had dropped its anchors in Turkish waters.
The date was July 17, 1968. The hope of a revolution led by students became more and more radical and manifested through mass actions. The Turkish left, under the leadership of youth organization leader Deniz Gezmiş, flung the July 18 American troops and the growing American colonisation into the waters.
The youths radical stance against imperialism had begun to develop a serious reaction since the early 1960s. In the beginning, this reaction took place in university canteens in the form of actions against Coca Cola, supporting the more effective demands such as the nationalization of oil.
As an act which symbolized the anti-imperialist revolutionaries, taking their places in history. Vedat Demircioğlu was martyred by fascist Turkish police before the 6th Fleet protest, when fascist policemen raided ITU’s Student Dormitories on the night of 17 July and threw Vedat Demircioğlu from the window, severely injuring him as well as many other students. Vedat Demircioğlu was seriously wounded and later martyred on 24 July 1968.
So why has the 6th Fleet rebuffed Turkey’s youth so much?
The fleet of American imperialism meant to be physically located in Turkey. Although the issue seems to be the prevention of military mobilization to Cyprus, the aim was to colonise what America calls the ‘Hot Seas’ which has been the target of England, Russia and America for many years.
Many people would be disappointed, including American Yankees, in the face of the actions carried out by the revolutionary youth.
What did the youth’s action mean?
Under the leadership of Deniz Gezmiş, there emerged a new beginning, a more powerful struggle against imperialism.
When it comes to the atmosphere created by the American military in Turkey it was a period in the most extreme forms of immorality took place.
When the soldiers of imperialism came ashore, they roamed the city loudly, and then had fun in brothels, then called ‘semi-dormitories.’ As soon as the arrival date of the fleet was announced, these dormitories would hang signs reading “nays gorlz, frish bir” (pretty girls, cold beer) on their doors.
At that time, the brothels on one of the back streets of Beyoğlu, Ebony Street were going through health checks, whitewashing the walls, preparing for the American army. In short, the visits of the 6th Fleet became a national embarrassment for people with little dignity. The fact that more than 10,000 people participated in the first 6th Fleet protest in June 1967 was proof that the problem received a serious reaction from society.
The conditions of the pouring into the sea in July 1968 were being prepared step by step. On the body of the woman, Turkish land was being sold to America parcel by parcel.
Moment of action
In 1967 and 1968, the 6th Fleet drops its anchors several times to Turkey’s ports and each arrival is greeted with radical protests. In July 1968, the fleet’s port was again in Dolmabahçe. The arrival of the fleet is greeted with 21 cannon throws while ITU students protest against the fleet.
The youth welcomes every arrival of the 6th Fleet with protests and has gained experience in this area. During the July 1968 visit, 76 organizations held a meeting on 15 July 1968 at Istanbul Technical University and talked about the actions to be taken. Irrespective of this, young people take actions such as throwing their caps from the heads of the US soldiers who leave the ships in Dolmabahçe and enter the entertainment venues in Beyoğlu, razorizing their uniforms and throwing red ink on them.
The attitude of the fascist police in the face of these actions is to detain students. On July 16, 29 students who protested against the 6th Fleet were detained. The night that connects the 16th of July to the 17th of July is printed in the history of ITU dormitories. Students who are attacked in their beds are dragged on the ground and taken into custody. After this operation, 47 students were taken to the hospital. As mentioned before, Vedat Demircioğlu is killed during these actions and becomes the first martyr of the 6th Fleet.
The action took place under the leadership of Deniz Gezmis, followed by Turkey’s socialist youth, created by the anger and spirit of revolt. The revolutionaries had gathered in front of Istanbul University and walked from Taksim to Gümüşsuyu Technical University. A large audience gathered here. Thousands of young people headed to Dolmabaçe. In Dolmabahçe, young people were pouring imperialist and American soldiers into the sea and pouring imperialism and fascism into the sea.
With the spirit of the youth of 68,’ great faith and rebellion were brought to life.
