Gezi (s)Park ignites the brightest fire in Turkey ever

[snapper]

Why does this not surprise me?

"It’s crucial to note that the mayor of Istanbul, also from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), owns a retail chain that will make a killing out of the mall. And the man holding the contract for this “redevelopment” is no less than [Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's] son-in-law."

Asia Times Online :: Erdogan riskes the 'must go' path

[Doktor]

10 days unrest in Turkey.

I hope our Turkish friends are well, safe and free.

Someone in Turkey got creative despite the circumstances:

"Until they became conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious."

[Aryajet]

This one is truly hilarious.

I think Turkish government should appreciate Syrian minister of information advise and contact Syrian government on how to treat peaceful protestors and resolve possible trouble using humane and peaceful manner.


Syria Calls on Turkey to Stop Violently Repressing Peaceful Protests

It sounds like a bad joke out of the Twilight Zone but it’s all too real. Syria’s minister of information told official media that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan “should resign” if he “is unable to pursue non-violent means” to end growing protests. Syria’s Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi “added that Erdogan leads his country in a terrorist way and is destroying the civil character of the Turkish people, reiterating that the Turkish people's demands do not deserve all this violence,” notes the report by SANA.

Erdogan was once an ally of President Bashar al-Assad, but turned against him after the Syrian regime violently suppressed protests, a move that led to a violent civil war that has killed at least 80,000 people, reports Reuters. As tone deaf as the comments by Assad’s regime may be, what is going on in Turkey right now is no laughing matter. Thousands of protesters gathered to reoccupy a central park in Istanbul after police violently attacked peaceful protesters who wanted to prevent the construction of a shopping mall at Taksim Gezi Park, reports Bloomberg. The protests were about the park, which has long been a site of political protest, but now have become “the fiercest anti-government demonstrations in years,” according to Reuters, and protesters are calling for Erdogan to resign.

Syria calls on Turkey to stop repressing peaceful protests.

[Aryajet]

This young and brave lady has captured my heart and mind. Her lifeless physic laying down with her eyes remained open remind me of Neda Agha Sultan. The Iranian girl who during 2009 Green movement got shot and died on the street with her eyes open as well. RIP brave one. I salute you for your courage and valor standing up for freedom and fight against oppression.

[Aryajet]

Love the U.S Constitution, all democracies around the glob should copy it, does not leave enough time for some one to examine the sweet of unchecked authority and power. 2 terms then you are out for good.

[kato]

German media is so far estimating 3 dead, 4000 injured, several thousand arrested in the riots.

Why is this thread in "Middle East and North Africa" btw? Gezi Park is on the European side of Istanbul.

[citanon]

Love the U.S Constitution, all democracies around the glob should copy it, does not leave enough time for some one to examine the sweet of unchecked authority and power. 2 terms then you are out for good.

Trouble is our constitution alone isn't enough. There's also our history and institutions. Back when the country was just founded we had Federalists trying to assert authority through the Alien and Sedition Acts. Then we fought the bloodies war in our history to resolve the North South + slavery question, then around the turn of the century we had massive labor disputes, as late as FDR we had a guy do 3 terms in the Presidency, civil rights didn't get resolved until the 60s, and the Feds didn't figure out how to take on organized crime until the 80s and 90s.

Making a democratic government is unfortunately a long drawn out process that can't work unless the great majority of people believe in the cause of freedom and are willing to sacrifice for it.

[kato]

'sides we all copied the refined Code Napoleon in some form or another.

[Guest]

I don't think Erdogan will go, but his image and position has been damaged. He won't be able to change the constitution that he wants so eagerly change to presidential system, that if he doesn't want to be kicked off his thrown. The Turkish Republic will stay Turkish republic.

[isim]

CNN international has been covering Istanbul live for at least 4 hours.

Police collects attorneties from court house.

grandmother in action.

[Big K]

[Doktor]

Hope you guys are OK.

Check in when you can.

[Doktor]