The brutality that was then unleashed saw Gezi Park, hospitals, hotels, neighbourhoods attacked with water canons, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and batons. There are unconfirmed reports that chemicals were used in the water canons.
The Guardian reported that, "NUT executive member Martin Powell-Davies was part of a British trade union delegation that had approached the fringes of the square as police moved in. He said: "There was a concert by a well-known musician with hundreds of people and families in a festival atmosphere in the square and then suddenly from all sides the police came with water cannons and teargas."
Those attending the event were brutally descended upon in order to clear the square for Erdogan's rally today where he will speak to his supporters. The square is now cordoned off by police. The brutal 'evacuation' now complete. The photograph is by Vadim Ghirda. AP.
Before the police moved in the park reverberated to sound systems pumping out Turkish traditional tunes, troupes of drummers, protest campers strumming acoustic guitars, elderly women and folk groups singing insurrectionary anthems. There has been an outpouring of songs inspired by the protests as music brings people together in solidarity. The photograph below was taken on June 12th in Taksim Square.
The event on Saturday that brought out families, children, young and old was a threat to Erdogan for they in their desire to have their voices democratically heard represent defiance. For that defiance Erdogan has labelled them terrorists, looters and marauders. Their peaceful actions are opposite to that of Erdogan who represents authoritarianism and domination.
In order to cleanse the site Erdogan's forces 'fired tear gas against the volunteer doctors manning a clinic in the park who have been working anonymously for fear of losing their jobs. In the early hours of the morning groups of demonstrators blocked a main highway to Ataturk airport on the western edge of the city, while to the east, police fired tear gas to block protesters attempting to cross the main bridge crossing the Bosphorus waterway towards Taksim'(The Guardian).
Furthermore, 'Thousands more rallied in the working-class Gezi neighbourhood, while protesters also gathered in Ankara around the central Kugulu Park, including opposition MPs who sat in the streets in an effort to prevent the police firing teargas. Later police stormed the hotel beating protesters, while a later assault left the lobby of the luxury hotel thick with gas'. The hotel had been a refuge for protesters. 'The Guardian saw two elderly women who had passed out being carried out on stretchers to an ambulance. Earlier riot police had stormed into the lobby, beating those inside'. The photograph is of Turkish protesters inside Divan Istanbul hotel.
As the Turkish media remains silent, links on social media show clearly how Erdogan's security services operate. In one clip a water canon is aimed at a hospital and people are screaming.
David Cameron in an interview with the Independent stated it was 'worrying' but that he had many talks with Erdogan and Turkey was a friend of Britain. The question is what part of Turkey is a friend of Britain the authoritarian and dominant one or the one that asks to be heard in a democratic way and is brutalised for it? One would surmise from Cameron's stance that he sides with authoritarianism and dominance. In the police assault 1000s of protesters have been injured. There is limited access to ambulance services and doctors and medical students set up temporary sites to treat the wounded. In the photograph a doctor assits an injured woman.
Doctors from the Turkish Medical Association have called for an immediate end to “uncontrolled police violence,” saying that thousands of citizens have been injured in the past week after authorities used tear gas, water cannons, and plastic bullets.A medical student who was volunteering is currently in intensive care after being “beaten by police”. Doctors are volunteers, they do not give their names for fear of retribution. Doctors said, "Medical personnel and makeshift health facilities are being targeted by police.”
Disturbing images are spreading across the web that point to the use of chemicals used in water canons which burn the skin. This is still to be unconfirmed.
What can we in the UK do? International human rights and humanitarian law at Essex University are taking legal actions such as by submitting complaints to the UN Special Procedures. This is something we can do and assist with.
Please ring and email the Turkish embassy in Britain straightaway: +44 20 73 93 02 02 embassy.london@mfa.gov.tr Contact your local MP and cite the acts of violence on the people of Turkey and ask them to act.
Furthermore, 'Thousands more rallied in the working-class Gezi neighbourhood, while protesters also gathered in Ankara around the central Kugulu Park, including opposition MPs who sat in the streets in an effort to prevent the police firing teargas. Later police stormed the hotel beating protesters, while a later assault left the lobby of the luxury hotel thick with gas'. The hotel had been a refuge for protesters. 'The Guardian saw two elderly women who had passed out being carried out on stretchers to an ambulance. Earlier riot police had stormed into the lobby, beating those inside'. The photograph is of Turkish protesters inside Divan Istanbul hotel.
As the Turkish media remains silent, links on social media show clearly how Erdogan's security services operate. In one clip a water canon is aimed at a hospital and people are screaming.
This is Erdogan's state. Those who protest are "traitors playing a game", "looters" or part of a conspiracy against the government. They are stripped of their humanity and in their difference, they the children, families, grandparents, women, men, teachers, academics, doctors, nurses, journalists, students etc... become marked as the enemy. It is convenient to label others as the enemy, it instills fear and legitimises the brutalisation of others. Little condemnation has come from governments on the violence meted out upon Turkish people.
The photograph is of Ceyda Sungur the academic who was showered with teargas in Gezi Park as she came from her nearby university office to defend the park from diggers. She said "For me this is about freedom of speech and the power of the people."
The photograph is of Ceyda Sungur the academic who was showered with teargas in Gezi Park as she came from her nearby university office to defend the park from diggers. She said "For me this is about freedom of speech and the power of the people."
David Cameron in an interview with the Independent stated it was 'worrying' but that he had many talks with Erdogan and Turkey was a friend of Britain. The question is what part of Turkey is a friend of Britain the authoritarian and dominant one or the one that asks to be heard in a democratic way and is brutalised for it? One would surmise from Cameron's stance that he sides with authoritarianism and dominance. In the police assault 1000s of protesters have been injured. There is limited access to ambulance services and doctors and medical students set up temporary sites to treat the wounded. In the photograph a doctor assits an injured woman.
Disturbing images are spreading across the web that point to the use of chemicals used in water canons which burn the skin. This is still to be unconfirmed.
What can we in the UK do? International human rights and humanitarian law at Essex University are taking legal actions such as by submitting complaints to the UN Special Procedures. This is something we can do and assist with.
Please ring and email the Turkish embassy in Britain straightaway: +44 20 73 93 02 02 embassy.london@mfa.gov.tr Contact your local MP and cite the acts of violence on the people of Turkey and ask them to act.
Also share what is happening in Turkey as widely as you can via fb/twitter and make sure that those you know within broadcast/media industries get this information.
As Turkish doctors call for the immediate end of police violence so we must join with them to call for the end of state violence.
As Turkish doctors call for the immediate end of police violence so we must join with them to call for the end of state violence.
Corine Dhondee London Film School student
corine.dhondee@lfs-students.org.uk
The blog was updated on Sunday 16th June with images now coming from Turkey of chemicals used in water canons which burn the skin. Reports of diluted chemicals used by Turkish police is yet to be confirmed.
The blog was updated on Sunday 16th June with images now coming from Turkey of chemicals used in water canons which burn the skin. Reports of diluted chemicals used by Turkish police is yet to be confirmed.
