Support Turkish protestors in their struggle to be heard by standing still in silent contemplation on 28 July 2013 outside the Turkish embassy in Brussels, Bucharest, Geneva, London, New York, Paris or Toronto.
What: Gather 7 people for 7 minutes to ‘stand still’ in support of demonstrators in Turkey. Why 7 people for 7 minutes? Because to date, 7 people have lost their lives during the protests (see details below).
Why: First used by demonstrators in Taksim Square, standing still in silent contemplation has become an effective symbol of the resistance movement in Turkey. By standing still, you will be sending a strong message to Turkish diplomats that the world expects Turkey to respect freedom of assembly, that it demands justice for those killed, and calls for the immediate release of detained peaceful protesters.
According to data collected by the Turkish Chambers of Medicine and Physicians (as of 24 June 2013), there were injuries in 13 cities where 8121 people went for medical attention in areas where the clashes happened. Of those, 11 lost their eyesight, 104 people have head trauma and 61 people have severe injuries, with two people in critical condition.
Where: In front of the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country. Protests are planned in 7 cities worldwide.
UPDATED LIST OF CITIES:
Brussels: EU Building, Place Schumann (Initiator: Poliargus)
Bucarest: Calea Dorobantilor 72, Sector 1 (Initiator: Active Watch)
Caracas: Turkish Embassy (Initiator: Espacio Público)
Geneva: UN Building, 28, b Ch. du Petit Saconnex. (Initiator: PEN Center Suisse Romande)
London: 43 Belgrave Square London Sw1x 8pa (Initiator: ARTICLE 19)
New York: 821 UN Plaza, NY 10017 U.S.A (Initiator: NY Chappuls)
Toronto: 10 Lower Spadina Avenue, Suite 300 (Initiator: CJFE/Canadian Journalists for Free Expression)
When: Sunday 28 July at 12:00 p.m. your local time.
How: Gather a group of 7 people to stand still one metre apart from each other for 7 minutes in front of the Turkish embassy or consulate. Each participant should wear a sign around their neck with the name of one of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations (see below). It is also suggested that each person wear a “V for Vendetta,” ‘Guy Fawkes’ mask. You can also paint your face solid white to symbolise the lives lost during the protests.
Who are the 7 people who have lost their lives during the protests?
- Ethem Sarısuluk (27, worker): Shot in Ankara by a police officer on Saturday, 1 June 2013. A park in Ankara (formerly called Çaldiran Park) was renamed in his honour.
- Mehmet Ayvalitas (20, worker): Member of the Socialist Solidarity Platform (SODAP), Mehmet was crushed by a police vehicle driving through the crowd during a demonstration in Istanbul on 2 June 2013.
- Abdullah Cömert (22, unemployed): A member of CHP (the main opposition party), Abdullah died from a stroke after a blow to his head during a clash in Hatay province on 3 June 2013.
- Mustafa Sari (27, police officer): Fell from a bridge while chasing protestors in Adana province on June 5, 2013.
- Irfan Tuna (47, worker): After being affected by teargas during demonstrations lasting three days in Ankara, Tuna died of a heart attack on 8 June 2013.
- Selim Onder (88, musician): During his visit to the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul to buy honey on 31 May 2013, he was subjected to a teargas attack by the police. After having shortness of breath, he died in Izmir province a few days later.
- Ali İsmail Korkmaz (19, student): Attacked and wounded (causing a cerebral hemorrhage) on 2 June by unknown people while trying to escape from teargas at the Gezi Park Solidarity actions in Eskişehir, Korkmaz was in emergency services until his death on 10 July.
Planning an action? Let us know!
Write to campaigns (@) ifex.org
For more information about the protests see http://ifex.org/turkey/
Initiative for Free Expression – Antenna Turkey
