Doing His Duty
People
surrounded by security as they watch silent protestors, on Taksim
Square in Istanbul, Turkey, early Tuesday, June 18, 2013. After weeks of
confrontation with police, sometimes violent, Turkish protesters are
using a new form of resistance: standing silently. The development
started late Monday when a solitary man began standing in passive
defiance against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's authority at
Istanbul's central Taksim Square. The square has been sealed off from
mass protests since police cleared it over the weekend. The man has
identified himself as Erdem Gunduz, a performance artist. His act has
sparked imitation by others in Istanbul and other cities. It has
provoked widespread comment on social media. (AP Photo)
Doing His Duty
"You are going to clear Gezi Park. We have reached an end. We cannot stand it anymore. And as you know, yesterday the operation was carried out, and it was cleared.
"I did my duty as prime minister. Otherwise there would be no point in my being in office."
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Riot police responded on cue to evict the activists occupying Gezi Park. As a symbol of defiance against the rule of Mr. Erdogan it was an unforgiveable assault against his authority, his dignity, his forbearance. Toleration goes only so far and no more. Prime Minister Erdogan saw it as his duty to empower his riot police to battle with rioters, and to pacify them. Tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, batons are all useful tools.
Turkish riot police charge after chasing protesters out of Gezi park last night. Pic: AP
Without foreign media exacerbating the situation by encouraging the protests Mr. Erdogan's work would not be so difficult in persuading the protesters to disperse. Their photographs of 'police brutality' in carrying out their prime minister's orders, their characterization of himself as a tyrant have persuaded the international community to view him through densely dark-coloured lenses; insulting and disparaging of him.
They provoke the protesters to continue their obduracy in refusing to obey his orders to disperse. Deep fissures in the fabric of Turkish society that the foreign press is busy high-lighting reside in their imagination more than in fact, as far as he is concerned. His popularity with his people runs wide and deep. He has brought pride and economic security to Turkey through his governing skills. Those among the population that fear his Islamist agenda are cued by foreign interests.
Taksim Square and Gezi Park have been sealed off by police. Istanbul's governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu proclaims the square off limits to the public. No one will be permitted to gather there for now. "We will win Taksim Square again and we will win Taksim Gezi Park again" Alican Elagoz, spokesman for the protesters vowed.
Protesters by their thousands, attempting to reach the sites, have been marooned on nearby side streets and neighbourhoods close by, where tear gas blankets them suffocatingly. They are welcomed into cafes and restaurants, waiters helpfully giving them napkins to cover their faces with. Police are deploying water cannon trucks against youth remaining close by Taksim Square.
Medical personnel busy aiding and treating injured protesters have been led away by police, hands cuffed behind their backs. People continue to be injured. Hundreds of protesters trying to hold a memorial service for a protester whose injuries proved fatal as a result of a nearby police crackdown, have been roughly dispersed.
Thousands of protesters of all ages and persuasions choke on the gas fumes and stumble along the streets, too weak and disoriented to put up much resistance. "We condemn the police assault with rubber bullets, intense tear gas and sound bombs on Gezi Park at a time where the park was populated with women, children and the elderly", said Taksim Solidarity.
One mustn't misunderstand; this is Prime Minister Erdogan doing his duty.
Labels: Chaos, Conflict, Controversy, Human Rights, Turkey
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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