Erdogan praises tradesmen always siding with justice and law

Speaking at a fast-breaking dinner organized in Ankara by the Confederation of Turkish Craftsmen and Tradesmen (TESK), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that many shopkeepers in Istanbul and Ankara had suffered many economic and material difficulties due to the Gezi protests. "Unfortunately, our shopkeepers have been targeted. As a result of the terrorizing of our streets, many shopkeepers' businesses were undermined. Shops were looted. Some shop owners received threats. Tables and chairs were destroyed. The shopkeepers' warnings inviting people to common sense were not listened to," Erdoğan said, adding that those who want to handle their problems with the government by whittling away the Turkish economy are no different from pitiful rodents trying to bore holes in the ship carrying all 76 million Turkish people. "The shopkeepers have stood against vandalism, looting and violence throughout history, because they have foresight. They can quickly grasp where events can lead and adopt a clear attitude accordingly. They saw that it was Turkey's environment of stability and trust that was being targeted and took a stand," Erdogan said, adding that the Turkish tradesmen always side with justice and the law.