Picture From Taksim Square---From My Hotel

Originally posted by ototheb85
Can someone in a nut shell tell me what the protests are about?

please
Regards Jamie

it started as a protest against a shopping centre being built but now its about police brutality and the creeping islamisation of a secular state. Go turks.

Originally posted by Wide-Eyes
reply to post by mideast

 

Are you implying that this isn't a protest?

I don't know.

Based on what I have heard in news , it is not something worthy that people can be killed for.

Or

Maybe I am not truly informed about the reasons of protesting.

youtu.be... a song about why we should protest. Peace and love

reply to post by symptomoftheuniverse


Thanks mate

J

reply to post by mash3d


I dont blame the turks, I understand now thanks

Rgds J

reply to post by mideast


Who said anything about killing people?

reply to post by Happy1

I'm going to put this out there - I read somewhere that WW3 was going to start between Greece and Turkey - I couldn't figure out how that could be - now I can see TPTB are setting this up.

That would be over Cyprus. Greece and turkey have been arguing over Cyprus for years.

Hello--

We are 7 hours ahead, and I am touring during the day, so I'm only around a few hours a night.

Generally, people are out on the square all day, but when twilight arrives, people begin spilling off the subways like ants. In a few hours, the square will fill up again.

The Prime Minister actually left the country last Sunday on a planned trip to North Africa. Interesting reaction to the turmoil in your own country--to actually leave the country in the middle of it all. He calls the protesters vandals, says that social media is the devil, and thinks this will all just pass over at some point.

I'm trying to estimate the passion of the Turks to see this through. Do they have enough steam to wait out the government? Will people lose interest? If not, when will the government decide enough is enough?

One thing is for sure, the Turks don't want to move backwards.

In my opening post, you can see the picture of the trees that started this whole thing. What the Prime Minister wants to put in their place is a mosque, a shopping center and a replica of some Ottoman barracks. The archaeologist that is with us says that if the Prime Minister had it his way, he'd knock down all of the Greco-Roman ruins and erase that part of Turkey's history. He wants an Islamic State. Period.

I am going down to the Square in a bit to take pictures from the ground and will post them later tonight.

reply to post by MRuss


Keep safe and thankyou. The msm is avoiding this in the u.k unlike all the arab springs which were on t.v constantly. Is this bacause the people running the u.s.a are stuck between supporting a stringent islamist puppet and a people fighting for free and democratic secular society. Go turks

Originally posted by Wide-Eyes
reply to post by mideast

 

Who said anything about killing people?

What do you think ,people are crazy to go in such protests.

They know that some lunatics may take things out of hands and make clash with police.

And there is high possibility that some insider terrorist take out his gun and kill people in the name of govt.

It is middle east , even though Turkey is a member of EU.

reply to post by Wide-Eyes


Thanks for the info -

I didn't know that Greece and Turkey have been fighting over Cyprus for years - kind of puts Russia into the swing of things then, also. I guess Cyprus is where the "rich" russians hid their money? All the fuss over Cyprus stealing the money out of the banks.

Another poster said that Turkey was not allowed into the EU.

A lot of people, including me, don't understand all of the different geo/political/financial leanings of the different nations in the middle east - great place to learn on ATS.

I hope all the innocents over stay safe.

reply to post by mideast


So you think people shouldn't protest because they might get shot?

Hey, gives a whole new meaning to "A Room With A View". Got any Puccini arias to play along? Oh wait, maybe bellydance music is more appropriate here.

Its amazing how numbers can overpower any tyrrant. When humans come together to "protest" or wish for a more beneficial change - its in a PASSIVE and PEACEFUL way. The only ones who are chaotic and cruel are the ones who show up in gear, shields, masks, tear gas, guns...

I beleive many people wish to come together like this in the more "developed" (if you want to call it that lol) contries; but lack acceptance of the other people. IDEAS in ones mind prevents them from making the best and more beneficial choice, for not only their self, but their entire species.

A few geared up men, is NO match for millions of people who accept and care for eachothers future; and all want the best for their own people. Its just the ideas in the mind that limit people from taking action.

Iceland had no problem doing it, and yes they have a small population. But they still managed to do it! The more people stop judging eachother and realize (REAL EYES) that the collective people are on THEIR side - and the government (govern - mental/mind) are the ones who wish to do harm and no good for anyone - THE EASIER IT IS TO TURN THIS BOAT AROUND!

Thank you for this post; the media likes to take days off when people come together for a common purpose - but any other day they are all over the war in the middle east or the tornadoes and devastations around the globe!

Change your ideas in the mind - learn to accept yourself and therefore anyone else - then we can all do this together

Too much talk and thinking, not enough doing! If we want what is best for our species, we must take ACTION - just as the government do each day.

Thanks again

Look how they got It set up! Goons waiting for police if they want it and a massive party/festival for the peaceful protesters. No wonder there is a media blackout lol. Not a policeman in sight.

reply to post by MRuss


Thank you again for keeping ATS informed on this matter. You are doing a fine service giving others an alternative perspective on this protest. Your pictures (I saw your other post as well) and descriptions do a good job of painting the picture for us.

I'm really glad your Turkish guide there has an opinion, and is willing to share it. I'm curious if the majority of the populous there agrees with them? But please, don't get in harm's way to find out. Like others' wishes to you, be safe and alert friend. I look forward to your updates

SnF for your efforts and interesting/informative content

Hi everyone. I'm Turkish... I've been fallowing up on ATS for the longest time, and it never occurred to me before to become a member, but when I saw this thread, and read some remarks on it, I've decided to become a member so I could explain the situation.

Erdogan was elected on either 2002, or 2003 (can't remember) This is his third term (unlike in U.S you can do that in Turkey) Erdogan came to power in the first place, because people were tired of corruption, and they needed a fresh face. He had a great momentum, and it seemed like he was unstoppable for the longest time.

In his term, there were actually a lot done in the country. This is due to the fact that, in Turkey, multi-party coalitions have been in power for the longest time, and they've always had to fight to make even a small change. When Erdogan came to power, his party (AKP) was the first and only party, people were tired of all the previous and no good political parties. Since his party didn't have to deal with coalition at all, it's been easy for them to pass laws, and make improvements.

Erdogan, and his people did indeed make improvements, but apparently, we are getting more than we've bargained for to begin with. In time, Erdogan is proving himself to be impatient with anyone who opposes him. He's made several attempts to disrupt the secular state of our country, and he doesn't like to negotiate. He's a "my way, or the highway" type of person.

We, as people, have seen so much of his non-negotiating character, that we no longer want to see him as our president. I'm pretty confident when I say I speak for most Turkish people. In the protests, there are even religious, Islamic people protesting against Erdogan.

This is simply because of the fact that our country is not a middle eastern country. Even our religious groups are aware of the fact that our culture is somewhere in between west, and east, and that secularism has been given to us about 90 years ago, by our great leader, at unbelievable costs...

The current situation might look bad on the outside, but this has been coming for some time. Erdogan does not act like a prime minister. He acts more like a dictator. If there's a journalist that he doesn't like, he finds a way to imprison him/her. It has come to a point, where people are not even able to criticize him, or else.

We are a nation with incredible potential. Our young generation is extremely educated, and the economy is booming. Our infrastructure is finally where it should be, and now comes this guy.

No one wants to waste time with him anymore. Because that's all he is....

Hope this sheds some light on the situation.

Currently, over 38 cities in Turkey are exposed to massive protests.

We have no intention of quitting before he steps down...

Thank you...

reply to post by BlueZen


Thank you for the info - The Turkish people are in my thoughts and prayers....Stay safe.

Originally posted by Happy1
reply to post by Happy1

 

I'm going to put this out there - I read somewhere that WW3 was going to start between Greece and Turkey - I couldn't figure out how that could be - now I can see TPTB are setting this up.

Remember, Greece is still in the EU, and the EU is sending all kinds of arms to Greece (which appears to be going bankrupt, by the MSM press)

Now, we can see where TPTB are setting up Turkey to be put into chaos - along with errant missiles from Syria and a whole lot of refugees - and a newly fundamentalist Erdogan?

This is all so sickening. I know everyone is thinking I'm crazy - I wish I were.

Sounds entirely possible to me. In fact I have a strong sense that Turkey will be the last Country to engage in this Spring movement before something bigger happens. Good to keep eyes on things as usual. Thanks to OP for the personal accounts.

reply to post by BlueZen


So can you predict how long it will take to get him out of power? Because it is not like Lybia, Egypt, or Syria do you believe others in power will escort him out to appease the people? Thank you so much for explaining as you did. It's far better to be educated this way than media so very happy you joined.