From peaceful environmental protests to an all-out social movement for the resignation of authoritarian Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan, demonstrators in Turkey find themselves engaged in another day of nationwide rallies. Brutal, relentless attacks from police (against peaceful demonstrators), under the direction of Erdoğan, are driving people to mobilize and fight back against oppression, the decimation of human rights, and unprovoked violence. Around the world, eyes shift to the streets of Istanbul, Ankara, and locations across Turkey, as we stand in solidarity with the demonstrators. This post takes a look at photos emerging from the revolution.

Less than an hour ago, I found myself engaged in direct conversation with an individual from Ankara, Turkey’s capital city, who is in the midst of the movement taking place there (known on the Internet as Occupy Gezi (direngeziparki)). I started the discussion by asking her to describe the events of recent days, as well as the role (or lack thereof) that media has played in the struggle. Finally, I asked her to elaborate on what she sees as the outcome of this movement.

Our discussion details this critical time as people from around the world are directing their gaze to the streets of Turkey where a peaceful environmental demonstration launched into a full-scale social movement with protests sprouting up in cities across the nation, provoked by violent and excessive attacks by police forces under the direction of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The situation began on May 27th with the impending destruction of Taksim Gezi Park with the goal of increasing the width of a street. Concerned citizens began to gather at the site, forming a peaceful, non-violent demonstration against the construction project – a project that was pushed forward despite widespread disapproval and opposition. The protesters had managed to halt construction until the following morning when the police intervened and protected the progression of the demolition operation. Sırrı Süreyya Önder…

Turkish police are using unwarranted, violent force against peaceful protesters throughout the country. Learn more about the Turkish government’s attacks on peaceful protesters. Educate yourself and spread the word. This is real. This is happening. This is unacceptable. We cannot remain silent.