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Indybay Feature

Despite Brutal Crackdown, Uprising in Turkey Continues

by Steven Argue
The demonstrations began a few days ago against plans to turn a loved and historic city park into a shopping mall. The struggle is now much bigger than that.
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Despite Brutal Crackdown, Uprising in Turkey Continues

Photo: Tens of thousands of people crossing the Bosphorus Bridge this morning to get to Istanbul's Taskim Square, starting another day of protests that are engulfing Turkey. Protesters have been attacked once again this morning already with police tear gas and water cannons. There are reports in the corporate media of a woman being killed in last night's clashes and of an elected Kurdish MP being brutally assaulted by police along with many others. True casualties appear to be much higher, estimated by protesters at 27-30 people dead.

An estimated 5 million people took to the streets last night.

The demonstrations began a few days ago against plans to turn a loved and historic city park into a shopping mall. Police of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan brutally attacked the peaceful protesters. Protests have also erupted this month in opposition to Erdogan's military backing of the genocidal Islamists of the Free Syria Army fighting in Syria as well as his crackdowns on political freedom and moves by Erdogan's semi-Islamist government to limit alcohol sales and to outlaw signs of affection in public.

Turkish Kurds in the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) also issued a warning that the current cease fire with Turkey's violently anti-Kurdish government may be suspended if the government violates its agreements. The Turkish government has long kept the Kurdish language illegal and banned it in the schools. The Turkish government has only recently somewhat lifted some of those restrictions, but in very limited and unsatisfactory ways. Kurdish political organization has also long been banned and, with U.S. military assistance, Kurdish communities have been the target of brutal warfare that has killed 30,000 people.

Yesterday (Friday), there were Turkish soldiers who sided with protesters against the police and handed out gas masks. Today, protesters in Ankura have already been hit with tear gas and water cannons. Prime Minister Erdogan is still vowing to go ahead and rip up trees to create a mall. Protesters are now saying that the struggle is much bigger than just saving the trees. Their chants in the street are against fascism and for the ouster of Erdogan's brutal government.

The Revolutionary Tendency condemns the repression of the Erdogan government and advocates the overthrow of Turkey's brutal capitalist and pro-imperialist government in a proletarian revolution that smashes the capitalist state, abolishes capitalist exploitation, and works to establish a federation of socialist republics of the Middle East that include Kurdish, Turkish, and Arab speaking republics that guarantee the language and other rights currently denied the oppressed Kurdish people. Essential in that struggle to smash the capitalist state will be splitting the rank and file of the military from the military brass and the police. Photos last night of the military handing out gas masks to be used in the struggle against the police is a hopeful sign.

-Steven Argue of the Revolutionary Tendency

Here are some related articles I've written:

End U.S. Imperialist Attacks on Liberated Syrian Kurdistan!
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/03/03/18733059.php

U.S. Backed Genocide of Christians, Alawites, and other Minorities in Syria
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/05/30/18737666.php

Why The Russian Revolution is Still Important
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/03/03/18708611.php
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Comments (Hide Comments)
by Çağdaş
I'm writing from Turkey.Some many people rosed in another cities in Turkey,not only İstanbul.. everthing started with 1 tree but,1 nation waked up.. just like 100 years ago.. we'll make a revolution again ! but our press already sold.. they don't announce our voice !
But Turkish People still standing tall ! and we need more support from other countries,please tell everyone to the this revolution,thank you.
by Steven Argue
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On estimated 27-30 people were murdered by the Turkish police last night as 5 million people protested, I personally have seen photographic evidence of 4 of these deaths sent out of Turkey, including the man flying here who died after the police attack. Afraid of the truth, the Turkish government has now blocked Facebook and Twitter. In addition, there is a media black-out by the imperialist corporate media which have only reported one murder by the Turkish police.
by Steven Argue
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Facebook appears to no longer be shut down. I talked to someone who said it took a half-hour to log on, but they were are able to access it.
by Steven Argue
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[Photo: Protesters in Taksim square June 1, 2013.(AFP Photo / Bulent Kilic)]

Protesters have taken Taksim square and police have retreated. Protesters estimated 27-30 people were murdered by the Turkish police last night. Instead of backing down in the face of repression, people have streamed out in protest across Turkey. The Turkish government has shut down the subways to try to slow the rivers of people coming in to protest for the end of Erdogan's brutal regime.
by Steven Argue
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Marriage proposal in the streets of Turkey. Love inspired by revolution. Erdogan's brutal Islamic regime has banned public displays of affection; prompting people to hold kiss-ins in protest. Despite killing up to 30 protesters last night, the uprising of millions in Turkey continues and the police have retreated from Taksim Square.

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