Brutal Crack Down on Peaceful Environmental Protest
Jun 6th, 2013, 05:59 PM
#161
Loved the chorus, too! I also would like to know if there is a translation -- they're clearly having a lot of fun with the song and I'd love to know what it is they're saying.
Thanks for the updates; it's so helpful to hear what is really going on.
Thanks for the updates; it's so helpful to hear what is really going on.
Jun 7th, 2013, 06:54 AM
#162
Finally the photographs from the night visit are on :
Unfortunately, we could not find any examples of "young people fornicating" as the conservative media wrote in their newspapers.
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....im-square.html
Unfortunately, we could not find any examples of "young people fornicating" as the conservative media wrote in their newspapers.
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....im-square.html
Jun 7th, 2013, 08:37 AM
#165
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Jun 7th, 2013, 09:58 AM
#166
Here's the latest update :
There was little police violence today except at an Alevite, outlying district of Istanbul where a young man was hit in the eye with a pepper gas canister last night.
- Early this morning the PM arrived and and spoke at an illegal party meeting at Istanbul airport where municipal and government means were used to bring some 1000s of AKP supporters to the airport. The municipality ran the metro till 4 AM instead of 12 midnight. He was very aggressive again and was happy with his supporters shouting, "Just allow us and we will go and throw those vandals out of Taksim"
- Later in the day, he suddenly switched from, "the 50% who voted for me are waiting to come out and answer these protesters" to, "I am the leader of 100% of the population"
- At a small park in Ankara, where the protesters were staying in tents free from attack for last two days were ordered to dismantle their tents this morning. There was no confrontation. The tents were taken away but the kids stayed in growing numbers.
In Taksim, an unidentified businessman donated a large number of mobile field WCs which were desperately needed. They were placed in appropriate areas. The kids cleaned the area and moved the trash to streets where garbage trucks could drive by setting up long human chains.
- The Anticapitalist Moslem group conducted Friday and funeral prayers for the dead. and some liberal and leftist groups stood guard in a perimeter around them to protect them from any harassment.
- It is getting crowded again in Taksim now. There are apparently more tents being set up every night. I had no idea we had so many homeless in Istanbul, -
- The AKP MPs and leaders continue with their blame on the international "interest cartell", Kurdish terrorists, the opposition party, undisclosed foreign powers, terrorists, and anyone they can think of.
- They also keep on saying that their PM will not back down and the fabulous historic artillery barracks (which has no plans, drawings or dimensions available) will be rebuilt to house possibly a museum, shops, condominiums and a hotel.
Some people think that the PM has already received the kickback for this building and feels he has to deliver no matter what.
- Last week he said that three billion trees were planted during his 10 year reign. Someone calculated that, that meant more than 700,000 trees a day !!!!! and that many trees would cover an area as large as 300,000 square kilometers about 2/5 of all of Tukey and much larger than almost every European country except Germany, France and Russia.
There was little police violence today except at an Alevite, outlying district of Istanbul where a young man was hit in the eye with a pepper gas canister last night.
- Early this morning the PM arrived and and spoke at an illegal party meeting at Istanbul airport where municipal and government means were used to bring some 1000s of AKP supporters to the airport. The municipality ran the metro till 4 AM instead of 12 midnight. He was very aggressive again and was happy with his supporters shouting, "Just allow us and we will go and throw those vandals out of Taksim"
- Later in the day, he suddenly switched from, "the 50% who voted for me are waiting to come out and answer these protesters" to, "I am the leader of 100% of the population"
- At a small park in Ankara, where the protesters were staying in tents free from attack for last two days were ordered to dismantle their tents this morning. There was no confrontation. The tents were taken away but the kids stayed in growing numbers.
In Taksim, an unidentified businessman donated a large number of mobile field WCs which were desperately needed. They were placed in appropriate areas. The kids cleaned the area and moved the trash to streets where garbage trucks could drive by setting up long human chains.
- The Anticapitalist Moslem group conducted Friday and funeral prayers for the dead. and some liberal and leftist groups stood guard in a perimeter around them to protect them from any harassment.
- It is getting crowded again in Taksim now. There are apparently more tents being set up every night. I had no idea we had so many homeless in Istanbul, -
- The AKP MPs and leaders continue with their blame on the international "interest cartell", Kurdish terrorists, the opposition party, undisclosed foreign powers, terrorists, and anyone they can think of.
- They also keep on saying that their PM will not back down and the fabulous historic artillery barracks (which has no plans, drawings or dimensions available) will be rebuilt to house possibly a museum, shops, condominiums and a hotel.
Some people think that the PM has already received the kickback for this building and feels he has to deliver no matter what.
- Last week he said that three billion trees were planted during his 10 year reign. Someone calculated that, that meant more than 700,000 trees a day !!!!! and that many trees would cover an area as large as 300,000 square kilometers about 2/5 of all of Tukey and much larger than almost every European country except Germany, France and Russia.
Jun 7th, 2013, 09:35 PM
#169
desertjames,
Thank you very much for your solidarity, support and well wishes.
These are the things that bring people, cultures and thoughts together to provide a better and happier life on Earth for all.
Thank you very much for your solidarity, support and well wishes.
These are the things that bring people, cultures and thoughts together to provide a better and happier life on Earth for all.
Jun 8th, 2013, 11:12 AM
#171
marymoess, there should be no trouble at or near Taksim tomorrow and Monday.
but Tuesday may pose a risk.
Give me name of your hotel or address so I can advise better.
Tonight crowds at Taksim went way over 100,000 with possibly 20,000 or more Fenerbahce Football team fans crossing from the Asian side and joined in solidarity by their arch rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas fans.
Tomorrow, multiples of this number are expected at Taksim in the afternoon.
You will probably arrive Monday afternoon in Istanbul.
Check this thread and any other sources you know, also my tweets at
https://twitter.com/ahmetcelebiler
when you arrive and during your stay.
The ruling party AKP continues to make aggressive and confrontational statements, blaming "international interest lobbies", their main opposition, "foreign powers" "vandals" and blatantly lying about the protesters harassing women who cover their heads in the AKP style.
The PM even tried to order the NYT to not publish anything against the Turkish government.
Here are the links to my photos again :
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....im-square.html
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....tiklal-in.html
but Tuesday may pose a risk.
Give me name of your hotel or address so I can advise better.
Tonight crowds at Taksim went way over 100,000 with possibly 20,000 or more Fenerbahce Football team fans crossing from the Asian side and joined in solidarity by their arch rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas fans.
Tomorrow, multiples of this number are expected at Taksim in the afternoon.
You will probably arrive Monday afternoon in Istanbul.
Check this thread and any other sources you know, also my tweets at
https://twitter.com/ahmetcelebiler
when you arrive and during your stay.
The ruling party AKP continues to make aggressive and confrontational statements, blaming "international interest lobbies", their main opposition, "foreign powers" "vandals" and blatantly lying about the protesters harassing women who cover their heads in the AKP style.
The PM even tried to order the NYT to not publish anything against the Turkish government.
Here are the links to my photos again :
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....im-square.html
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....tiklal-in.html
Jun 8th, 2013, 05:19 PM
#175
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Our daughter's second last night going to school in Turkey was tonight. She and her boyfriend went looking for milk near Kizilay Square in Ankara. They got personally tear gassed. It was a preemptive tear gassing as there was hardly anyone around. She reports tear gas is awful. Then when back in the apartment she sent a video of the police water cannoning no one. There were no protestors.
Very interesting tactics from the police. Tear gas and water cannoning before the protestors arrive.
Very interesting tactics from the police. Tear gas and water cannoning before the protestors arrive.
Jun 9th, 2013, 12:28 AM
#176
sf, the ruling party will conduct meetings on Monday and Tuesday to discuss and decide on what to do against the protests. They may decide to use brute force immediately, since they do not bother to consult the parliament.
Bokhara2, old young friend, thanks.
Cold, I am sorry for her inoculation against tear gas since the immunity it provides has not yet been proven by scientific research.
The word in the street is that the importer of tear gas in Turkey is a major AKP supporter and needs the over-use to make a decent living. The water is charged to residents by the AKP mayor of the city anyway, and this year rainfall has been good, so no problem in that respect.
On the other hand :
Here is some news from yesterday's AKP central board meeting that may cause some concern for travelers :
The Turkish Prime Minister and his party called for two big party support meetings in response to "Save Gezi Park" meetings. These meetings will be held on June 15 at Kazlicesme Istanbul, and June 16 at some location I missed at Ankara.
Kazlicesme grounds are next to the coastal road from Ataturk airport to the city, and possibly to the metro.
In Istanbul, road transport will have two other options to reach the city on that day, but traffic will be horrendous even if the AKP meeting is contained and does not spill towards other parts of the city and end up in a confrontation with the young people asking for their freedoms.
I do not know enough of Ankara to write.
It is unfortunate that the PM considers the protesters as personal opponents rather than disgruntled young citizens who have no political allegiances.
It is also sad that the most popular Turkish religious leader who owns over one thousand highschools and many more than that boarding facilities for students has released a statement saying that "This extremism will continue if the minds of the new generation are not restructured"
Bokhara2, old young friend, thanks.
Cold, I am sorry for her inoculation against tear gas since the immunity it provides has not yet been proven by scientific research.
The word in the street is that the importer of tear gas in Turkey is a major AKP supporter and needs the over-use to make a decent living. The water is charged to residents by the AKP mayor of the city anyway, and this year rainfall has been good, so no problem in that respect.
On the other hand :
Here is some news from yesterday's AKP central board meeting that may cause some concern for travelers :
The Turkish Prime Minister and his party called for two big party support meetings in response to "Save Gezi Park" meetings. These meetings will be held on June 15 at Kazlicesme Istanbul, and June 16 at some location I missed at Ankara.
Kazlicesme grounds are next to the coastal road from Ataturk airport to the city, and possibly to the metro.
In Istanbul, road transport will have two other options to reach the city on that day, but traffic will be horrendous even if the AKP meeting is contained and does not spill towards other parts of the city and end up in a confrontation with the young people asking for their freedoms.
I do not know enough of Ankara to write.
It is unfortunate that the PM considers the protesters as personal opponents rather than disgruntled young citizens who have no political allegiances.
It is also sad that the most popular Turkish religious leader who owns over one thousand highschools and many more than that boarding facilities for students has released a statement saying that "This extremism will continue if the minds of the new generation are not restructured"
Jun 9th, 2013, 03:22 AM
#177
An excellent video coverage of the first few days of the protests :
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/vice-news/istanbul-rising
I also reposted a video from an Italian site showing 50,000 football fans marching in Istanbul.
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....gezi-park.html
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/vice-news/istanbul-rising
I also reposted a video from an Italian site showing 50,000 football fans marching in Istanbul.
http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....gezi-park.html
Jun 9th, 2013, 05:06 AM
#178
as ever, OC, you are our best source of up to date and accurate information, thank you. The video of the football fans is particularly interesting, bearing in mind that they would usually be knocking seven bells out of each other.
cold - I hope that your DD and boyfriend have recovered from their experiences. pre-emptive tear-gassing and water cannon use would seem very weird, were it not for OC's explanation.
cold - I hope that your DD and boyfriend have recovered from their experiences. pre-emptive tear-gassing and water cannon use would seem very weird, were it not for OC's explanation.
Jun 9th, 2013, 09:11 AM
#179
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OC, we are not actually staying in a hotel but rather are renting an apartment. Full address is: Firuzağa mah. Faikpaşa sokak no : 36/52 BEYOĞLU
We are meeting my sister, her husband and their DD. Her DD has been living in Istanbul and going to Bahçeşehir University for the past year so at least we will be with someone who has familiarity with the areas and has friends there too. You really have been my 'go to' for updates and I thank you!!
We are meeting my sister, her husband and their DD. Her DD has been living in Istanbul and going to Bahçeşehir University for the past year so at least we will be with someone who has familiarity with the areas and has friends there too. You really have been my 'go to' for updates and I thank you!!
Jun 9th, 2013, 11:46 AM
#180
Firuzaga district is fine, although close to Taksim.
It is a fun area with lots of artists and expats and cafes which moved their tables out to the sidewalks since the protests started, despite municipality order to remove them last year.
It is just the next hill from our home.
Your access will be from both through Balo street crossing Istiklal and from the coast road at Tophane or even from Findikli, although Taksim access is still barricaded at Siraselviler Street.
Apparently, I had the dates mixed. The AKP Istanbul Rally will beon June 16. and the one in Ankara will be June 15.
We just got back from the wedding dinner, leaving early. The roads were open and there was no sign of anything unusual. I will turn on TV soon.
It is a fun area with lots of artists and expats and cafes which moved their tables out to the sidewalks since the protests started, despite municipality order to remove them last year.
It is just the next hill from our home.
Your access will be from both through Balo street crossing Istiklal and from the coast road at Tophane or even from Findikli, although Taksim access is still barricaded at Siraselviler Street.
Apparently, I had the dates mixed. The AKP Istanbul Rally will beon June 16. and the one in Ankara will be June 15.
We just got back from the wedding dinner, leaving early. The roads were open and there was no sign of anything unusual. I will turn on TV soon.
