Massive Protests in Turkey against Islamist Government

[LurkerBaba]

At least 12 people have been injured after Turkish police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters occupying a park in central Istanbul.

Demonstrators had held a four-day sit-in at Gezi Park, angry at plans to redevelop that part of Taksim Square.

An Istanbul court later ordered the temporary suspension of the project to uproot trees in the park.

But there is wider anger against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the unrest has spread to Ankara.

Protests have also been reported in other cities, including Bodrum, Konya and Izmir.

People are angry and frustrated at the government's decision to build a shopping centre at the expense of one of Istanbul's most famous parks. But what started as a protest against the uprooting of trees is turning into a wider platform for expressing anger against government policies.

Environmentalists have been joined by gay and lesbian groups, as well as socialists, union workers, members of opposition parties from across the political landscape and even so-called "anti-capitalist Muslims". The excessive use of force by the riot police and the insistence of the government to pursue their plans for the park have escalated tensions.

Last week, Turkey's parliament approved legislation restricting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks.

The regulations would prohibit retail sales between 22:00 and 06:00, ban all alcohol advertising and promotion, and stop new shops and bars from opening within 100m (330ft) of schools and mosques.

Mr Erdogan said he wanted to stop young Turks from "wandering about in a state of inebriation" and was not trying to impose Islamic values.

BBC News - Turkey police clash with Istanbul Gezi Park protesters

 

[The Messiah]

Turkey will turn into pakistan shortly since they like pakis aligned with the saudis & west and harboured terrorists so as to unleash them onto there neighbouring country.

 

[Singh]

Turkey will turn into pakistan shortly since they like pakis aligned with the saudis & west and harboured terrorists so as to unleash them onto there neighbouring country.

Its never going to happen

1. This protest has indeed turned into a Liberal vs Conservative issue
2. Funnily, Taksim Square is the party (and vice) Square of Istanbul.
3. Banning alcohol from 10pm to 6am in shops is not a bad decision.

 

[SajeevJino]

Erdogan Sys if you bring 10000 I will bring 1 million against you..

The Internet cut downed all major cities including Ankara

Social Networking sites are banned

The protests spread everywhere in turkey

Police using tear gas and Pepper spray against the Protesters


May be a New Middle east spring

 

[SajeevJino]

[tweet]340879712748449793[/tweet]

Thanks for the Tweet Morgan

 

[amoy]

Had the military not been castrated by the Islamic party they could hav intervened to save "sekularism" n "democracy" like before.

Sent from my 5910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Ataturk must be whirling in his grave.

 

[IBSA]

Turkey will turn into pakistan shortly since they like pakis aligned with the saudis & west and harboured terrorists so as to unleash them onto there neighbouring country.

I dont think Turkey will reach this point.

Turkishs practice a moderate version of Sufi Islam, not as radical as paki wahhabism. And Turkishs have a modern secular state created by Ataturk, not a Islamic state that defines its national identity by religion.

And Turkey isnt so very aligned with saudis. She rivals with KSA by the leadership of Muslim World. They are aligned just on Syria conflict, which is a common enemie now.

 

[SajeevJino]

[tweet]341035342012506112[/tweet]

 

[TrueSpirit]

Its never going to happen

Well, Turkey belongs to the same camp as Saudi, Pak & West. It is Sunni-dominated, & the secular forces there (armed forces, intellectual-nationalists & liberal mainstream media) are on a constant back-foot or mostly, in stasis, ever since Islamists came to power. This regime possesses backing of radicalized youth, who are in minority at the moment but extremely vocal; drawing their strength & massive numbers from the rural hinterland.

It is but a matter of time that the all-powerful & deeply entrenched Army, that's purportedly the guardian & guaranteer of the secular constitution, starts conceding ground to the ruling regime & some constitutional amendments are made, seeking to limit the army's turf & traditional sphere of sway. Turkey's populace & the history they are taught, has always had an extremely strong undercurrent of revisionist spirit, seeking to reclaim their former glory of yore. Now, that the citizenry has received confirmation that their hopes of joining EU have been shattered for all practical purpose, that undercurrent would eventually surface in form of a debilitating groundswell.

Anyway, Turkey has always acted as US+Saudi middlemen in West Asia even after Cold War & its security establishment (Army+MIT) have been at horns with their Indian counterparts, given the monetary-material help they provide to their Paki brethren, consistently. As Turkey tries to chart its independant course, this co-operation between Turkey+Paki is only going to intensify in future.

 

[amoy]

did I hear it correctly on TV? Turkish Airlines attempted to ban on air hostesses wearing lipsticks and nail polish?

then Turks took their frustrations to Taksim!

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[Singh]

Well, Turkey belongs to the same camp as Saudi, Pak & West.

I don't quite follow. Turkey is part of NATO.

It is Sunni-dominated,

They are culturally Muslim.

& the secular forces there (armed forces, intellectual-nationalists & liberal mainstream media) are on a constant back-foot or mostly, in stasis, ever since Islamists came to power.

Putting it simply urban, middle class and / or educated people are generally kemamlist.

And ergodan appears to be an Islamist only because the opposition ideology is laicete

This regime possesses backing of radicalized youth, who are in minority at the moment but extremely vocal; drawing their strength & massive numbers from the rural hinterland.

This is more or less correct

It is but a matter of time that the all-powerful & deeply entrenched Army, that's purportedly the guardian & guaranteer of the secular constitution, starts conceding ground to the ruling regime & some constitutional amendments are made, seeking to limit the army's turf & traditional sphere of sway.

Ergodan can challenge the army because he has done good work. And army should stay in the barracks.

Turkey's populace & the history they are taught, has always had an extremely strong undercurrent of revisionist spirit, seeking to reclaim their former glory of yore. Now, that the citizenry has received confirmation that their hopes of joining EU have been shattered for all practical purpose, that undercurrent would eventually surface in form of a debilitating groundswell.

I thinkAtaturks ideology is far more influential. Turkey by virtue of its position today wants to be a power in the region.

Anyway, Turkey has always acted as US+Saudi middlemen in West Asia even after Cold War & its security establishment (Army+MIT) have been at horns with their Indian counterparts, given the monetary-material help they provide to their Paki brethren, consistently. As Turkey tries to chart its independant course, this co-operation between Turkey+Paki is only going to intensify in future.

Turkey is part of NATO, turkey is wary of Russia. Turkeys engagement with Pakistan is limited.

 

[Singh]

I dont think Turkey will reach this point.

Turkishs practice a moderate version of Sufi Islam, not as radical as paki wahhabism. And Turkishs have a modern secular state created by Ataturk, not a Islamic state that defines its national identity by religion.

And Turkey isnt so very aligned with saudis. She rivals with KSA by the leadership of Muslim World. They are aligned just on Syria conflict, which is a common enemie now.

Turks only practice Islam in eating habits.

 

[Iamanidiot]

Anatolians are with Erdogan and no matter how much protest the istanbul seculars do it will not make much difference

 

[TrueSpirit]

@Singh

I don't quite follow. Turkey is part of NATO.

Pak & Turkey are member of CENTO that was aimed at bolstering military and strategic cooperation and counter the spread of Soviet influence in the region. Both countries are also members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. ISI-MIT share a "very special" relationship that next only to the ISI-CIA & ISI-MSS relationship.
They have a deep institutional tie-up that goes way beyond verbal platitudes.

Ergodan can challenge the army because he has done good work. And army should stay in the barracks

.

Well, Ergodan has done good work for economy (GDP, PCI & inflation) & ensuring their energy security; no one contests that but Army is the last bulwark in Turkey again Islamists. And, this matters to India. Islamist's gaining/consolidating power in any country in that region concerns India. All covert/unofficial support becoming official concerns India & any more Islamic fundamentalism in Eastern hemisphere affects India.

Turkey is part of NATO, turkey is wary of Russia. Turkeys engagement with Pakistan is limited.

Turkey has openly supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict like most Islamic nations and maintained full political and military support during its wars with India. Pakistan has reciprocated by expressing support for Turkey's policy on Northern Cyprus. It is common knowledge in intelligence establishments that Turkey has consistently acted directly against Indian interests & their deep relationship with Pak military & ISI is an open secret.

 

[The Messiah]

Fact of the matter is that turkey is pro-pakistan and aligned with the west and saudis. They are against syria, iraq and iran so it is only natural that we cultivate ties with iran. If we do that then pakis will get surrounded themselves since afghanistan isn't pro-pakis either. Earlier on iraq was our biggest ally in the region and we betrayed saddam to the yanks. Syria, iraq, iran and afghanistan together is a big land mass and we must not sit on our asses and do nothing!

 

[rock127]

So now Turkish Spring starts.........

 

[The Messiah]

So now Turkish Spring starts.........

Assad should arm the protestors with assault weapons and then see what the turkish govt does

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Assad should arm the protestors with assault weapons and then see what the turkish govt does

You have silly ideas. Are you a pot smoker?

 

[The Messiah]

@civfanatic @pmaitra