A group of Turkish far-right supporters attempted a provocative attack on the Kurdish community in Haringey, London, following Turkey’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in EURO 2024 on Saturday night.
The incident occurred when individuals carrying Turkish flags and making ‘wolf’ hand gestures, associated with Turkish ultra-nationalism, tried to enter the predominantly Kurdish area of Haringey Green Lane. Kurdish residents confronted the group, chanting slogans such as “Down with fascism” and “No to racism”. The confrontation led to a standoff, with hundreds of Kurdish community members staging a sit-in protest.
Having failed to take adequate measures against the racist groups, London Metropolitan Police instead targeted Kurdish protestors, using pepper spray against them. Two Kurdish youths were detained during the incident.
The Democratic Kurdish Community Centre claimed the provocation was organised by the Turkish Embassy in London and associations affiliated with Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)-Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) coalition.
This incident follows a similar occurrence after the Austria-Turkey match, which prompted the Kurdish community to establish self-defence measures in the area. Community leaders had previously met with police officials from Haringey, Edmonton, and Enfield to express concerns about insufficient protection against racist attacks.
