Crimean Tatars protest against independence referendum

Crimean Tatars held peaceful protests on the streets Friday to boycott the referendum, in which the people in Crimea will vote on whether to join Russia as a federal region or belong to Ukraine on March 16. 

Crimean Tatar National Assembly had previously announced that they would boycott the referendum.

The protesters who live in Chistenkoe and Fountain neighbourhoods in the capital city, Simferopol, chanted, "No referendum", "Crimea, Ukraine", "Go home Putin", "We don't want war" and "Homeland, nation, Crimea".

The protesters said they previously lived in exile because of Russia and that they do not want to experience the same thing again. They said "all the people in Crimea lived in peace under Ukraine's rule for more than 20 years," and that they will "not let Russia break this peaceful atmosphere." 

Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting President and Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov met with the U.S. delegation, led by Senator John McCain.

They discussed the final situation in Ukraine, the existence of Russian troops in the Crimean Peninsula and issues about solving the political crisis in the country.

englishnews@aa.com.tr