1. What do the young Turks want? Here is the text of the crowdfunded full-page ad in the NYT:
======What is Happening in Turkey?===========
People of Turkey have spoken: We will not be oppressed!
Millions are outraged by the violent reaction of their government to a peaceful protest aimed at saving Istanbul’s Gezi Park.
Outraged, yet not surprised.
Over the course of Prime Minister Erdoğan’s ten-year term, we have witnessed a steady erosion of our civil rights and freedoms. Arrests of numerous journalists, artists, and elected officials and restrictions on freedom of speech, minorities’ and women’s rights all demonstrate that the ruling party is not serious about democracy.
Time and again, the Prime Minister has mocked and trivialized his nation’s concerns while Turkey’s own media have remained shamefully silent.
The people protesting bravely throughout Turkey are ordinary citizens. We span several generations and represent a spectrum of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, ideological, sexual, and gender identities. We stand united because of our concern for Turkey’s future. Our future.
We demand an end to police brutality.
We demand a free media.
We demand open democratic dialogue between citizens and those elected to public service, not the dictates of special interests.
We demand an investigation of the government’s recent abuse of power, which has led to the loss of innocent lives.
Join the conversation and stand with us in solidarity.
Crowdfunded Entirely by Concerned Individuals from Around the World===================================
# Link: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/full-page-ad-for-turkish-democracy-in-action (with hat tip to Sara Wedeman for finding it).
# Essential to real democracy is that it is more than ‘having elections’, but that the majority which takes a decision on an issue takes expressed minority views on it into consideration too. Reason behind taking them seriously is that the next government may include some of these opponents and activists, who may have valuable contributions to solving problemsand issues.
2. Who are these people who gathered on squares in Turkey?
“Who Are the Demonstrators in Turkey? Researchers Making Some Interesting Discoveries” – WSJ http://t.co/W4YwalynKO /cc
My impression is that the young people gathering on the squares in Turkey are “the Creative Class” who can not function without room for expression in freedom and open discussion, to be able to create value, jobs and wealth. In other words, they are Turkey’s HOPE in uncertain times.
3. Documentary film about the #GeziPark demonstrations.
http://t.co/VeYO09ZjoG LIFE in action
jaap van till, connectivist
