Turkey has issued a travel warning to its citizens who are thinking about traveling to the U.S. in response to a wave of demonstrations in large cities protesting the election of Donald Trump to be the 45th president.
In a statement posted to the Foreign Ministry’s website Saturday, the Turkish government warned, “Sometimes the protests turn violent and criminal while protesters (are) detained by security forces” and that “racists and xenophobic incidents increased in USA.”
“Considering the risks, we advise our citizens living and traveling to US to follow local media, to follow the warning of our embassy in Washington and American security forces, to stay away from protests, to increase their security in work space and to apply to local security when there is a racist or xenophobic attack while keeping calm,” Turkey said, according to CNN.
Trump took to Twitter this week to comment on what he called “professional protesters” who were “incited by the media,” in cities such as New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
He then seemed to walk back his initial criticism, saying that the “small groups of protesters” have “passion for our great country,” and promised unity.
Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
