Clashes Broket Out in Tuzlucayir, Ankara

Barricades are being erected against the intense police attack in Tuzlucayir, Ankara.

Live Stream:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ankaraeylemvakti?utm_campaign=www.facebook.com&utm_source=14683805&utm_medium=social

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/erayaras

An Interview with the Striking Turkish Airlines worker

The interview above took place during the Gezi Park resistance.

[Updated] Clashes Break Out in Adana, 17th of June

00.10 The police is forced out of the Akkapi Quarter, Adana by the people.

23.30 The police water cannons the houses in Adana. People of Adana out on the streets on the 7th day of Ali Ismail's murder.

23.25 Protestors re-build the broken barricades after police attacked and failed to disperse the crowd.

Clashes broke out in Adana between the protestors who are determined to commemorate the martyrs of the resistance and the police.

Police attacked the crowd with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. The protestors do not knuckle under the vulgar and brutal police attacks.

Protests in Istanbul, Ankara and Antioch

* TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects) members held large protests against the unlawful budget cuts and de facto disabling of the chamber in Ankara and Istanbul.

* Without any substantial reason the police attacked the protestors in Istiklal Avenue with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes continue in the side streets.

* The people of Antioch started gathering in the Ugur Mumcu square to commemorate the martyrs of the resistance. Antioch was the hometown of Ali Ismail Korkmaz and Abdullah Comert.

[Updated] Clashes in Antioch, 12th of July

04.00 Clashes seem to be over in Antioch. 10 slightly wounded, no arrests after one of the fiercest nights.

01.20 Inhabitants of Armutlu throw their furniture out from the windows to help the protestors build barricades.

01.00 As clashes continue, barricades are being set ablaze.

00.35 1 water cannon vehicle (TOMA) is desctructed by a water tank thrown from a rooftop.

23.25 The police and armed vehicles cannot get through the barricades erected by the people of Armutlu. Inhabitants of Armutlu and the protestors throw balloons filled with olive oil to water cannons. Protestors fire fireworks to the police.

23.10 The police threatens the people watching the clashes from their rooftops to go up there, shoots gas cannisters to the rooftops.

23.00 One protestor is arrested. Police is forcing its way through the side streets with scorpions (armed army vehicles).

22.40 The police attacked the rally organized for Ali Ismail Korkmaz with water cannons (TOMAs), tear gas and stun grenades.

Fascists Attack the Public Forum in Kocamustafapasa

Footage:

[Updated] Clashes Break Out in Ankara and Antioch

Footafe from Antioch, tonight.

Photos from Antioch, tonight.

[02.30] The police is driven out of the streets, neighborhood watches are started. 1 person is blinded during the clashes and another one is in critical condition due to a blow on the head caused by a gas cannister.

[23.12] Police attack started in Ankara.

Live Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ankaraeylemvakti

[22.54] Protestors clash with the police in Armutlu, Antioch. Reports indicate there are many wounded, one in critical condition.

A Blog on Articles on the Gezi Parki and the Uprising in Turkey

http://geziparkarticles.blogspot.com/

We introduce you a blog containing various articles from various left political tendencies analyzing the Gezi Park events.

If you'd like to contribute please send your article to: occupiedtaksim@gmail.com

KKE: On the Arrests of Turkish Militants

The KKE denounces the ongoing state repression and the persecution against organizations of the people’s movement, cadres and members of parties and organizations on the part of the Erdogan government.

We denounce, in particular, the new police operation in Gezi Park, which led to the mass arrests of members of the CC and other cadres of the CP of Turkey, the Party of Labour (EMEP) and mass organizations.

The representatives of capital and its power are deeply mistaken if they believe that it is possible to suppress in this way the people’s resistance against exploitation, oppression and repression, which go hand in hand with capitalism

The KKE expresses its determined solidarity with the all the struggling Turkish people. We demand the immediate release of those arrested and the removal of every restriction on free trade union and political activity.

ATHENS 11/7/2013 
THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE CC OF THE KKE

We Lost Ali!

Ali Ismail Korkmaz, a 19 year old university student was attacked by "unidentified" perpetrators on 2nd of June, after running away from the police attack to a peaceful protest in Eskisehir. From that day to this he was in coma.

We lost him today.

He was killed by the "heroes of the Prime Minister", as Erdogan chooses to define the "unidentified".

Whether the police or the "White Youth" of Erdogan killed him, the peoples of Turkey know who the real murderers are.

"Those who died,
                        died in fight;
                                        were buried to the sun.
We have no time to mourn for them!

                        There is a raid
                                         a raid to the sun!
                        We will conquer the sun
                                        seizure is imminent!

                                                                               Nâzim Hikmet

6th of July, Events

19.00 Following the press declaration of the Taksim Solidarity, tens of thousands of people will meet at Gezi Park.

17.00 People of Kadikoy and the Yogurtcu Park Forum will gather around the Boga Heykeli (Bull's Statue) in Kadikoy and take the ferry to the European Side to attend the Gezi Park demonstration.

17.00 People of Besiktas, Carsi and the Abbasaga Park Forum will gather around the Kartal Heykeli (Eagle's Statue) in Besiktas, to march to Gezi Park.

17.00 Women will rally against sexual abuse under custody, gathering in front of the Galatasaray Highschool and marching to the Taksim Square.

13.30 Human Rights Association will protest the "F Type Prisons" and solitary confinement in front of the Galatasaray Highschool on Istiklal Avenue.

Taksim Solidarity: We Are Going to Our Park!

We are going to our Park!

4 July 2013

We are going to our park to deliver the court decision by hand, which cancels the project aimed to disidentify, depopulate and concretize Gezi Park, to the ones who shut the park down to the people. We are going to our park to open its doors to its real owners, so to everyone again.

With all the colors that make us who we are, with unwavering common sense, endurance, determination and incredible creativity, we are still together in every sphere of life.

We have not given up on our demands and gains and we will never do so.

To commemorate our losses, to remind our demands and to condemn the violence that is yet to exist in the entire Turkey, we meet on Saturday (July, 6) at 7 PM in Taksim Square with justified decision of the court in our hands.

Hurray our Solidarity…

Everywhere Taksim Everywhere Resistance…

TAKSIM SOLIDARITY

A Poem from Nazim Hikmet - Since I've been locked up

In solidarity with all the imprisoned comrades in Turkey and all over the world!

And in solidarity with Kostas Sakkas who is on hunger strike since 4th of June.

"Since I’ve been locked up,

The earth went around the sun ten times.

If you ask the sun: “No big deal, just a microscopic run…”
If you ask me: “Ten years of my life…”

I had a pencil the year I was locked up
I wasted it away just in a week of writing

If you ask the pencil: “My whole life…”
If you ask me: “C’mon, it is just a week…”

Of murder, doing his time, Osman; since I’ve been locked up
Filled the seven and a half years and got out.
Wandered around a while, end up in the joint again of smuggling, and again filled the six months and got out.
His letter arrived yesterday; got married and expecting a child in spring…

The children turned 10, who were conceived the year I was locked up.
And the quaking, long legged peers,
Have already become one apiece wide-rumped, repose mares.
Although the olive saplings; still saplings, still children.

Since I’ve been locked up, new squares have been opened in my far away town,
And there, lives my household, on a street I do not know, in a house I have not seen.

It was cotton white, the bread; the year I was locked up,
Then it was rationed.
Here inside,
People shot each other of for a fist full of black loaf
Now again it is free; but dark and tasteless

The year I was locked up, the second has not yet started,
The ovens were not lit up in Dachov, the atom bomb was not yet thrown to Hiroshima.
The time flew by, like the blood from slit throat of a child.
Then that chapter was closed, now speaks the American dollar of the third.
But the sun has shined, since I’ve been locked up,
And from the edge of the darkness, they have risen up halfway, pushing themselves up through the sidewalks

The Earth has gone around the sun ten times, since I’ve been locked up,
And I again repeat my words with the same passion,
“For they;
are the ants on the soil,
the fish in the sea,
as many as the birds in the sky.
Fainthearted, brave, ignorant and child,
And they are who doom and create,
Whose adventures are within the songs”

And all the other,
As of imprisoned me, spending ten years
Is just talk in vain…"

                                                                                           Nazim Hikmet

29th of June

* Medeni Yildirim's funeral will be held at 10 am at the Yenikoy cemetary, in Diyarbakir.

* Abbasaga (Besiktas) public forum will meet at 5 pm and march to Taksim.

* Democratic Congress of the Peoples (HDK) will meet at the Galatasaray Lisesi at 6 pm and march to the Taksim square to protest the Lice incident.

* Taksim Solidarity will held a demonstration in the Taksim square at 7 pm for Ethem Sarisuluk, for justice and imprisoned comrades.

Soldiers Opened Fire, 1 Dead, 7 Wounded!

1 Dead, 7 Wounded!

Footage from the funeral of Medeni Yildirim.



[22.00] Thousands marched in Besiktas and Kadikoy to protest the Lice incident.

#direnlice #resistlice


[17.45] Reports indicate that the villagers blocked the main road in Lice, Diyarbakir.

Soldiers opened fire on the people assembled to protest against the construction of a new military guard post in Lice, Diyarbakir. Medeni Yildirim is shot to death!

An Analysis on the Movement, "Taksim Rising" by Marienna Pope-Weidemann

The occupation of Gezi Park inIstanbul on 28^th May has blossomed into the largest civil uprising in modern Turkish history. 

The immediate catalyst for the protest was the planned demolition of Gezi Park, one of the last public spaces in increasingly gentrified Istanbul. The movement grew rapidly after an unprovoked attack by police killed three and injured thousands. Protests and occupations have since erupted in over 50 Turkish towns and cities.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edroğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), in power since 2002, built its initial support base by drawing together marginalised rural Muslims,a new Islamic bourgeoisie and urban Islamic community networks. Those networks had developed as a response to the social welfare failures of the secular Kemalist regime, which emulated Western capitalist economics. The AKP was meant to reclaim Turkey from Western interests. 

But following a split from the Islamic party, the AKP abandoned its anti-imperialist principles, as well as any opposition to neoliberalism, and clamoured to join the EU. It delivered the boom it had promised: construction, tourism, exportindustries and ‘Islamic finance’ all flourished. On the very day protests began, Jeffrey Sachs was praising Turkey’s economic success. Like they praised Egypt and Tunisia, before popular uprisings set the record straight. 

As with every neoliberal ‘miracle’, it was paid for by breaking the backs of the poor. The Turkish boom represented the extension of work hours, an growing informal sector, wage repression  and soaring inequality. Instead of representing the poor, the Erdogan administration demonised and alienated them.

The official demands of the movement are restricted to the protection of public spaces and civil rights, the resignation of those who ordered the violence and the release of political prisoners. But the root causes of inequality and exploitation stretch far deeper. The Taksim movement is broad, featuring LGBT, socialist, environmentalist, religious and secular as well as numerous ethnic groups. It has the potential to generalise its aims and mount a meaningful challenge to the state. Noam Chomsky has called it “a beacon of hope and opportunity which deserves the strongest possible support one can offer.”

The Turkish uprising takes place in the context of growing international resistance to neoliberal policies which are now being rammed home in the wake of the global economic crisis. Resistance must continue until the state bends to the will of the people or is broken by it. In the meantime we should offer our solidarity to, and take inspiration from, the occupiers in Gezi Park.

                                                                                        - Marienna Pope-Weidemann

Introducing the Turkish Police - 1 - TOMA

TOMA

The abbreviation for "Social Intervention Vehicle".

For those who are not familiar with what the Turkish police utilizes, besides resorting the primitive means of torture, we introduce you one of the easiest vehicles to operate to disperse the crowds. Furthermore, not knowing what exactly a "social intervention" is, we recommend you some footage showing how these vehicles are put into operation.

Here are some features of TOMA.

• Water Cannon System
• 60 m water stream range
• 3 different operational modes: short/long/continuous pulse
• Different combinations of water, dye, tear gas and foam mixtures
• Vehicle Protection Systems
• High ballistic protection
• Cabin protection against tear gas
• Bulldozer
• CCTV system, video recorder system
• Protection Cages
• Fire ertinguishing foam nozzles

Also you can run people over with it, if you are a salaried monkey.

Or else, pose for the cameras:

Sometimes their pour acid in it and claim it to be "medicine".

Or to water cannon the handicapped!

Or just to express their hatred to the people.

But guys, don't get demoralized no TOMA can stand before the anger of the people. We introduce you the POMA (Intervention Vehicle to the Police):

And another invention, People's TOMA, aka TOMA-HALK:

[Updated] New Arrests in Ankara

[10.56] The prosecutor did not allow the families to see their children. Families are now heading towards the prison to see them for the last time.

[10.55] "The Reckoning Day Will Be Horrifying for You!" chants the families and the friends of the arrestees, as they are being sent to prison.

[10.50] Arrestees are now being sent to the Sincan F Type Prison.

[08.30] Reports indicate that the number of police officers in the courtyard of the Ankara Courthouse is doubled.

[08.35] Urgent Call from Kazova Tekstil Workers!! 

"We, as Kazova Tekstil workers have just occupied our factory. We call for our people and the press to come here to support us!"

[08.30] 3 arrests in Adana, are being reported.

[08.15] Families and friends of the arrestees are still waiting in the courtyard of the Ankara Courthouse to see their children one last time before they are sent to the Sincan F Type Prison.

[07.45] The police is filming the families and friends of the arrestees gathered in front of the Ankara Courthouse.

[07.40] The Turkish police smiles in front of the families of the arrestees, right after 13 has been arrested!

The families of the arrestees chant, "The Murderers Will Face the Reckoning!"


[07.30] Out of 19 who stood trial: 13 has been arrested, 5 released on parole, 1 release in Ankara without any tangible evidence.

Total number of arrestees reached 35 in total, in Ankara.

Live Stream from the Ankara Courthouse: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ankaraeylemvakti

The Flame of Our Hearts Will Melt the Prison Walls Down!

Will be updated!

Freedom to Kostas Sakkas

A Solidarity video with Kostas Sakkas, a prisoner who is on hunger strike in the Koridallos prison since the 4th of June.

Immediate release of hunger striker Kostas Sakkas!

For more information please visit http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/06/15/anarchist-kostas-sakkas-on-hunger-strike-since-june-4/

Ethem's Murderer is Released!

Ahmet Sahbaz, a police officer who shot and killed Ethem Sarisuluk was released today.

Here is the footage displaying Ethem being shot by Ahmet Sahbaz.

We will not forget this name! We will not forgive anyone!

22nd of June Tens of Thousands Gather in Taksim Square, Police Attack With Water Cannons [Updated]

Police Attack Taksim Square Update:

21:37 Police have attacked the crowd assembled near Harbiye.

Groups of police are holding the entrances to the square. They are not letting anyone inside.

The past days of the week, Istanbul had been relatively peaceful since the police stopped their attacks on the people. Today, thousands gathered in Taksim Square, to commemorate those who were murdered by the police over the past couple of weeks.

The crowd placed red carnations in Gezi Park and the monument in Taksim.

Later, around 20:40 the police attacked with water cannons – surprisingly- without gas. The people have moved to Istiklal Street and Siraselviler Street, still waiting to reclaim their square.

Will be updated.

22 Arrested in Ankara, 9 Arrested in Istanbul

Imperious cries of revenge is finally being put into operation.

22 demonstrators who were detained after the Gezi Parki incidents in Ankara and 9 in Istanbul were taken to court and sent to prison last night.

The Flame of Our Hearts Will Melt the Prison Walls Down!

The Heoric Turkish Police, from the Turkish Media

As if there are no hundreds of hours of footage of what had happened during the clashes all over Turkey under their hands, the STV, a television channel known for their sympathy towards the government, the police and especially towards fabricated news, decided to fabricate its own soap oprah covering the Gezi Parki incidents.

We share these very realistic and artistic scenes with no comments and no subtitles, as we believe that ignominy is universal.

Raise the Solidarity, Commemorate the Fallen Comrades!

"Those who died,
                        died in fight;
                                        were buried to the sun.
We have no time to mourn for them!

                        There is a raid
                                         a raid to the sun!
                        We will conquer the sun
                                        seizure is imminent!

                                                                               Nâzim Hikmet


They, who died not in fear, cried out their last breaths altogether, fighting the monster!
They, who died in agony, smiled for the last time confronting the enemy!
They, who died were Mehmet, Ethem and Abdullah, died climbing up the stairs to the sun!

Let us walk past them, until we reach the horrizon! Let us take the torch out of their hands, and carry it on

We call everyone to commemorate all our fallen comrades in the Taksim Square, on 22nd, at 7 pm.

Occupied Taksim

Press Release from Taksim Solidarity

We are meeting in Taksim Square Saturday 7 PM with carnations in our hands.

21 June 2013

Against all the suppression, our song of freedom we created in the heaven of solidarity and democracy in Taksim Square and in the Gezi Park pervaded to the entire world.

Forums that emerged in all the corners of our country, in every park and in every square represent our common will; they have become the lanterns brighten the path of democracy, peace and solidarity in utter darkness.

We say it once again; with all the colors that make us who we are, with unwavering common sense, endurance, determination and incredible creativity, we are still together in every sphere of life.

We have not given up on our demands and gains and we will never do so.

To commemorate our losses, to remind our demands, and to condemn the violence which is yet to exist in Mersin, Ankara and in the entire Turkey, we meet on Saturday at 7 PM in Taksim Square with flowers in our hands.

Long live our Solidarity …

Everywhere Taksim, Everywhere Resistance…

TAKSIM SOLIDARITY 

Why I Broke This Billboard? [Video with English Subtitles]

While the ongoing protests throughout Turkey have lead to 4 deaths and nearly 8,000 people being injured, the state authorities are constantly talking about "X number of billboards broken, Y number of cars burnt etc."

Here is a video by the looters and marginals of Ankara regarding the subject.

Music By Fazil Say With Striking Footage From the Gezi Protests [Video]

T pianist Fazil Say has composed a heart moving piece with striking footage from the Gezi Protests.

The lyrics are by the 16th century Bektashi dervish Muhyiddin Abdal, yet surprisingly relevant.

"They spoke of humanity,
now I know what it means.
They talked of life,
now I know what it is."

New Gatherings in Istanbul

After the Gezi Park was re-occupied by the police, inhabitants decided to gather in local parks.

Here are the addresses.

The Besiktas gathering will be held at the Abbasaga Park at 21.00

The Elmadag-Harbiye gathering will be held at the Macka Park at 21.00

The Kadikoy gathering will be held at the Yogurtcu Park at 21.00

The Umraniye gathering will be held at the Carsi Park at 21.00

#direngezi #occupiedtaksim

Testimonial of the Police Torture

Footage from Izmir.

[Video]Brazilian People Hit the Streets.

Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of people occupied the streets and the Congress in the capital city of Brazil, Rio de Janerio.

Will be updated!

[Video from Brazil]: We Want This Guy to Migrate to Turkey

We also need such talents in our protests.

Updated: "The Standing Man", "The Standing Woman"

"The Standing Man" is arrested at the moment.

"An interesting and creative form of protest, no doubt. 

The police are probably still trying to come up with an idea to deal with this "marginal individual."
Let's hope that they don't arrest him for "provocatively standing" in Taksim Square."

After the "standing guy", another form of this interesting protest began in Ankara, at the very place where Ethem Sarisuluk was killed by the police.

18th of June, Standing Person Protest Begins in Ankara

After the standing person protest has expanded in Istanbul (there are rumours that the police are planning to attack the people standing in the square) a citizen of Ankara has started standing on the spot where Ethem Sarisuluk was murdered by the police.

Solidarity Message from Joan Baez

The "Standing Protest" Started by One Man Grows [00:10]

 

17th of June, One Man Protest in Taksim Square

After Prime Minister Erdogan called for a police attack on Taksim on saturday, clashes continued until early monday morning. Despite the determination of the demonstrators the police managed to take hold of the square and were not letting anyone inside since saturday evening.

The governor, referring to the police-zone in Taksim square, said that they had cleared the square from protesters and had "given it back to the people."

Tonight people who did not look like "crowds" in the eyes of the police were allowed into Istiklal Street and certain parts of the square. Then, around 20:25 this man appeared (middle, wearing white shirt):

He was merely standing there, doing nothing. No chanting, no flag. He started standing there, on his own, staring at the Ataturk Cultural Center. The police, evidently not being able to grasp the situation asked him for ID and searched his bag (picture above, plainclothes policeman to his left).

A photo from 23:30 shows that he was, until half an hour ago, still standing on the same spot, motionless.

 

An interesting and creative form of protest, no doubt.

The police are probably still trying to come up with an idea to deal with this "marginal individual."
Let's hope that they don't arrest him for "provocatively standing" in Taksim Square.

Solidarity Message from Tariq Ali

Solidarity Message from Subcomandante Marcos

To the all citizens of the world,

Fellows, Sisters, Women, Men, Homeless People, Poor People,

They asked us how many people the Zapatas are and we told them there are hundreds of thousands out there who are fighting for their rights and freedoms. Now today, we hear that on the Anatolian lands, the land of Turks, Kurds, Circassians, Armenians, the Lazs, and many more than i can count, thousands of masked people who wants to live in honor are hailing for freedom. Like Kurdish fellows who were in an honorable fight. We knew that we were not alone, there were millions of us out there and we weren’t alone since we have started fighting. Today, we see that we are increasing. We hear that people in Turkey shout out “Ya Basta!” and they are in a riot to defend their honor against to the oppressive ruling of Turkish government. The Great Istanbul, the capital of masters throughout history, is now the capital of riot, and it has become the voice of oppressed ones. We see that on the streets of the great Istanbul are now the capital of women, children, men, homosexuals, Kurds, Armenians, Christians and Muslims. The ones who have been humiliated, oppressed, ignored for decades by their government are now saying “We Are Here.” We are thrilled!

We have never wanted a new governance, a new government or a new prime minister. We just asked for respect. We wanted the goverment to respect our requests of freedom, democracy and justice. People of Turkey are demanding for these and resisting for days: Now starting from the ingoing goverment, and all the governments who are going to be in charge, we want you to respect our requests of freedom, democracy and justice! And if you don’t do that, we, who are the owners of rights and freedoms, will stand against you, we’ll fight on the streets until you learn to respect. We don’t want too much, we just want you to respect our rights. Because we know how we want to live, we know well how we want to govern and be governed. We want to govern ourself and decide about ourself.

And we are greeting people of Turkey who are fighting for an honorable life from here, and we want to tell that the fire of riot has warmed Chiapas. Solidarity with the ones who saved the history from past and future and moved to present.

Solidarity to the free people of Taksim,
Solidarity to the EZLN,

United we stand,

Resist!

A Note From One of Our Followers

"World, today, around 21:00, a large police force has unleashed a brutal attack on citizens at the Gezi Park in Taksim. These people were not protesters. Families and children were among the crowd.

Infirmaries harboring the wounded and businesses that shelter the distressed have been assaulted. Citizens and journalists were kept out of the perimeter as the police raided and picked up the tents in the park, set up by protesters. Items that belong to the tents' owners have been seized unlawfully. Photos of riot police show that they have removed or concealed the ID numbers on their uniforms.

Tonight, the pressurized water that the police are using on protesters is laced with irritants. Reports are coming in of people suffering from nosebleeds and coughing up blood due to tear gas. A pregnant woman has been reported to have lost her baby in the course of the assaults.

As I write, thousands of citizens all around Istanbul have left their homes to support the victims. The main highways are occupied by thousands marching toward Taksim. Protests are going on in virtually every neighborhood. Turkey's two largest labor unions, comprising tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of members, have declared general strike."

Mehmet Aydin Baytas

How Erdogan Responds

It is highly likely that many of our foreign friends are wondering how the state authorities have responded to the protests in our country. Here is a rather outdated and less than comprehensive, yet enlightening article on how the Prime Minister of Turkey responds to various issues. We are aware that it is relatively long, but we suggest that you read the entire article as this is an accurate portrayal of how Erdogan responds to all issues at hand.

Translated by: Occupied Taksim

 

An Algorithm Shedding Light on How the Prime Minister Responds

Radikal.com.tr- Ozan Tuzun, a blog writer critical of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attitude towards the Gezi Protests has written an entertaining article formulising the methods of reasoning employed by the Prime Minister.

Here it is:

Tayyip Erdogan has an algorithm which he resorts to when responding to any question. Apparently, he has perfected this pattern over the years. As a person who has studied communications I have attempted to analyse it.

This algorithm has several steps. If he has the time he employs all 8 steps, however, if his time is limited, then he settles for some of them (usually steps 1, 3 & 6).

In order to explain myself, I shall use an example. I will go back to Erdogan’s childhood and create a scenario where he has broken a vase at home.

*Tayyip is home alone. When his mother returns, she finds out that the vase has been shattered to pieces*

His mother: “Tayyip! Did you break the vase?!”

Step 1: Alter the way the committed mistake has been expressed, portray it as if it were something good.

-I did not break the vase. I have disassembled it and made the necessary rearrangements so that it can be reshaped.

Here are some real life example of this technique:

“We are not harming the trees. We are simply uprooting and transporting them.”

“I have not changed, I have improved myself.”

“We are not banning alcohol. We are merely regulating its use.”

Step 2: Convince people that you are the last person on earth who could possibly commit that crime/make that mistake.

- Why would I want to harm the vase? I too, am a vase. I am the epitome of a vase. When that vase was bought, it was I who carried it up four floors on my black. Look, I am giving you a specific number here, I carried that vase on my back for 98 steps. It was I who always suggested that we put the vase in our storeroom so that its colour would not fade from exposure to sunlight. I always covered it whenever we had company so that no one would be jealous of it, so that it was protected from coveting eyes. I am the number one supporter of that vase, why on earth would I want to harm it?

The following are examples of this technique:

“Why would we want to cut down trees? We have planted exactly 3 quadrillion tress.”

“Why would we put pressure on the judicial institutions? We are the ones who built the largest courthouses. No one, since the founding of this republic, has granted them such extensive possibilities as us.”

Step 3: Mitigate the importance of the issue in question, present it as if it were something normal. Go to the extent of claiming that what you have done up to this point is still lacking.

-I cannot understand why you are making such a big fuss about my rearrangement of the vase. The vase is an obsolete ornament, more commonly used in former communist countries. Take a look at America and England, can you see any vases over there? Do you see any vases in movies, or in modern homes? The vase is a baroque tool which can only be found in Ceaușescu’s Romania or the socialism stricken oblasts of the Ukraine. Does the vase have a place in our modern world? It most certainly does not. It is impossible to understand this reaction. I think that we should have rearranged the vase at a much earlier date. 

A real life example of this technique is as follows:

“We are not the only country regulating alcohol consumption. One would think that we were the ones who came up with this. Look at the Scandinavian countries, France, England… They have far more restrictions than us. Our regulations can be seen as a beginner’s stage in handling this problem.”

 

 

Step 4: Crush your opposition with your kindness and virtue. Tell them that you could have done it if you wanted to, but didn’t.

- You keep hurling these accusations at me, but you should know that I could have broken that vase 20 times over. I stay home every day, I am constantly alone with the vase. If I really had a hostile attitude towards said vase, then why didn’t I break it? It’s true that I could have broken, even destroyed, it if I wanted to. But I didn’t. Even though, personally, some of my opinions are different than those of the vase, I did not do such a thing. Because, I respect your opinions. I believe that people have a right to like the vase and I see this as a divine right. I do not like the vase because of the vase itself, I like it because of the Creator. I am the warrantor of vases in this house.

Real life examples of this technique are as follows:

Well actually this is not only used by Erdogan but the entire party. Recent examples are “During the Gezi events we could have closed the internet down, but we didn’t,” and Melih Gokcek’s [Mayor of Ankara] “we could have drowned you in our spit if we wanted to, but damn it, we believe in democracy.”

Step 5: Never leave a question unanswered. Respond with a “let’s assume what you’re saying is true” attitude. Appear to accept that what has been said is possible and that you are acting responsibly to counter it.

- Let’s assume what you’re telling me is true and that the vase has experienced the things you claim have happened. Does this mean that it is entirely my fault? A strong breeze, or the cat could just as likely have broken the vase. I have delivered the necessary orders to the neighbour’s kid Mustafa and he will carry out an investigation. He will do some research on the velocity of the wind yesterday and the behaviour of the cat, and the report to me. Should we come across any faults, then I will be the first to punish that cat, I shall be the first to fix those windows. I am aware of everything that’s going on. All my actions are for the peace and prosperity of our home.

Here is a real life example of this method:

“It is true that several complaints have been raised in regards to the excessive use of gas by the police during the Gezi Park events. I have given the necessary orders for an investigation on the aforementioned issue. If such a thing exists, it shall be investigated and the necessary procedures will be carried out accordingly. We cannot, and will not allow such a thing.”

Step 6: Question the sincerity of those posing the question.

-Now here is an important point which needs to be stressed. The vase in our living room is not the first vase in history to be rearranged. If you are so sentimental about vases then why didn’t you react when the neighbour’s child broke not one, but two of her vases? Where were you back then? Why didn’t you weep for aunt Ayşe’s plates which were broken while she was moving? What makes this vase different? Is it because it’s about me?  The vase is a mere excuse to attack me.

Real life examples of this technique are as follows:

“If you love trees so much, why weren’t you present when I strived to prevent the construction of a university in forested areas? Where were these crowds back then?”

“You constantly talk about freedom of the press. Where were you during the coup of 28^th of February?” [Both are events from the late 90’s-O.T.]

 

 

Step 7: You are off the hook and have portrayed yourself in a positive light. Now use this advantage to attack your opponent.

-This kind of vase breaking is the sort of thing my brother Ali would do. He is the one who acts in this manner. Who broke the glass pane of the cupboard last year, who broke father’s record player with a soccer ball? Ali. Ali’s mentality is the kind of mentality which breaks vases. Let me tell you this, he is the one behind all this. You know, father will soon determine the amount of our allowances and Ali’s grades cannot compete with mine. That’s why he has come up with this plot to discredit me. But my father knows all about this, and knowing this gives me comfort. I always talk to my father.

The following is an example of this technique:

“These demonstrations, all this turmoil are the product of CHP mentality [referring to the main opposition party in parliament-O.T.] They are the ones behind all this. As you know, the elections are coming up and this is their preparatory plot. They are organising marginal groups and are trying to spread disorder with a handful of brigands. But we know our people very well. They know exactly what’s going on and display no support for such things. The people can see everything clearly.”

Step 8: The issue has been settled and the question has been answered. Conclude your speech while at its peak by praising yourself and your actions.

- Mother you must understand that I pay little to no attention to all this. I focus on my tasks. Look, during the past two years of my life as a middle school student, I have become the most hard-working child in my class. Everyone looks up to me, the parents of other children are telling their kids to be more like me. This is the situation I am in. I have an A in religion, an A in sports, and an A in math. This is our situation. I focus on my tasks, I focus on my grades. I am striving to be an exemplary child for my family. I am striving to carry our family to the state of a model family for this building and with the help of God, I shall continue my efforts.

Here are real life examples of this method:

“The economy is getting better in such and such ways, our debts to the IMF have decreased this much etc. etc.”

Apart from these 8 steps, there are various minor details sprinkled over the speech. I have filed a report for investigation and those in charge have analysed it.

 

 

 

Use the term “we” when mentioning positive developments. But in regards to negative ones, pay attention to referring to the names of institutions such as “the police, the state etc.”

When there is a positive development:

“We built a stadium for Galatasaray and gave it to them.”

“We built the world’s largest water fountain in Kayseri.”

When you do not wish to be associated with a certain event:

“The police may have used an excessive amount of gas.”

“The state has talks with Imrali, it has talks with everyone.”

When responding to a question or accusation, do not use your own principles. Instead, employ the principles of the accusers against them.

For instance,

“The constitution clearly says that the state must protect its people from alcohol and drugs. This task has been endowed upon me by the constitution, it’s not like I was not the one to write that article.”

When referring to people or institutions you do not wish to mention, pronounce their names differently. If you cannot do this, use different terms.

For example, don’t say Ataturk. Say Gazi Mustafa Kemal instead. Don’t say Ocalan, use Imrali as an alternative. Don’t say CHP, instead use “CHP mentality.”

When you want to pose a question requiring a long answer, ask as if it were a mere “yes or no question.” This will prevent those facing you from coming up with an actual reply. It will seem as if you are the one who is right.

For example, if you are giving a speech to a multitude of journalists, address one of them and say: “what do you think I should understand from these demonstrations, you tell me.”

Should anyone start a sentence with “X has said that you…” do not hesitate. Resort to ad hominem arguments.

An example, “If X adhered to democracy to that extent, why did it keep silent when this and that happened? What has Y done for the benefit of Japan? Their only intention is attacking us.”

Constantly praise your actions, but never yourself. Instead, portray yourself as an insignificant element.

For example, if you start a sentence by saying things like “this government has spearheaded the most important leap since the founding of the republic” or “we have created/built/organised the largest X of Turkey” continue with phrases such as “I am not your ruler, I am your servant.” For example, when talking about the city of Van, he managed to do both in a single statement: “With our investments we have rebuilt Van anew. Why do we do all this? Because we are mere servants, mere custodians. Not masters.”

Always portray your actions as if they serve a much broader perspective, a certain grandiose goal.

For example, come up with a law regulating the consumption of alcohol then say: “We must grant our children a horizon, direct them towards significant goals. We must raise a new generation of Mehmed the Conquerors, Mimar Sinans” or a more simple example, if you find yourself at the opening of a new highway junction declare, “our goal is to reach the year 2023.”

Refer to events from the past which you regard as mistakes in order further legitimise your point

Exaggerate both events to deepen the antagonism. For instance, say: “The used to force children to drink beer during breakfast whereas now, we are protecting our youth from the harmful effects of alcohol.”

Insinuate that you are aware of all that is going on, thereby leading people to act with the notion that all their actions are being monitored.

“We know full well the perpetrators of X,” or “We know who funded the Gezi Park declaration in NY Times” (while the names of all those who have donated money can be seen at indiegogo). Using precise numbers in your speeches also helps.

Always display your intentions as if they were reasonable. Always tie sentences together with the conjunctive “because.” The reason you present does not need to be important, it should merely serve to preventing people from asking “why?”

“We want to turn the Haydarpasa Train Station into a hotel, because the number of hotels in Istanbul is not sufficient.” It is important that you state your intention before your reason. Otherwise, the logical fallacy of your statement will become blatantly clear. “The number of hotels in Istanbul is insufficient, therefore we have decided to turn the Haydarpasa Train Station into a hotel.”

If you do not have a clear-cut reason for your actions, then you can say anything after a sentence beginning with “because.” For example: “We want to pedestrianize Taksim, because this is what the nation demands of us.”

These are the analyses of your humble servant up until now. Should I come up with any other remarkable points, I shall update this article.

Ozan Tuzun.