"Gezi" Awaits Constructive Steps from Government

Today marks the 11th day of Gezi Park Resistance. Speaking at a conference, PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said they are not going to backpedal from realizing the Topçu Barracks project. 

Tayfun Kahraman, an activist from Taksim Solidarity who met Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç on Wednesday to submit their demands, told bianet that the government should take solid measures in harmony with their 4 demands. 

“Even if the solidarity group calls for withdrawal, people won’t,” he said. “Because this turned into people’s resistance.” 

Betül Tanbay from Taksim Platform, on the other hand, said that a new form opposition been formed and the resolution still needed negotiation and dialogue. 

"We have four demands from the government"

Tayfun Kahraman (Taksim Solidarity): We have met the government to submit the demand of the solidarity group and people. However, looking at what PM said last night at the airport, we observe that he aims to continue his “I did it and it happened” policies and ignored demands of the people.  

At the moment, neither the solidarity nor the government has requested for another meeting. 

As the solidarity, we will remain in the protests. People resume their attitude as well. This struggle first emerged with the demands of people who reclaim their cities. But it has transformed into a struggle of democratic right demands in Turkey. It has already taken off and surpassed us. 

"People won’t back off even if we say so"

The government should fall deaf and act according to people’s demands. We are awating for constructive steps from the government. First of all, Topçu Barracks project must be cancelled. Those who are responsible of police violence must be prosecuted and resign. Protestor detainees must be released without further prosecution. All public square, especially Taksim and Kizilay, must be open to demonstrations. If these demands are not met, people will not back off even if we say so. We are not entitled to control or end this. 

"Political parties must adapt to the new opposition"

Betül Tanbay (Taksim Platform): There is a huge crowd out there. We should work on to transform this into something constructive. Since these people are from various backgrounds, we must be able to find their common interests and demands. First demand is to make authorities learn how to listen to people’s demands. The message is clear: There is no democracy and public administration without the participation of people. 

This is a new form of opposition and all parties are left behind this process. They must adapt to this. On the upcoming municipal election, they must arrange their programs according to the demands of people. City dwellers want to breath, walk in the park. They don’t want a lifestyle with more cars, constructions and consumption. Those who are responsible for this tension and danger are the ones who humiliate people with police violence. The only resolution to the problem is through opening channels of dialogue and negotiation. We want to have a constitution that will help for peaceful coexistence and Taksim. Our struggle will resume towards this direction. 

Taksim Solidarity was founded on 2 March 2012 by the secretariat of Union of Architects and Engineers Chambers of Turkey’s (TMMOB) Architects and City Planners Chamber. It houses more than 80 political parties and organizations. 

Taksim Platform was founded in 2011 and led the way to the foundation of Taksim Solidarity. (NV/BM)

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