Freedom to demonstrate should not be curtailed in any country. People should have the right to express their concerns without the fear of being bullied and killed. My heart bleeds with the citizens of Istanbul and those who were trying to keep Gezi Park open.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the “legendary heroism” of police forces in quelling anti-government protests that have rocked the country for more than three weeks.
Speaking at the Police Academy in the capital, Ankara, on Monday, Erdogan thanked the country’s security forces for their “patience” and “discipline” during the demonstrations.
“Our police successfully passed a very important, very challenging democracy test,” Erdogan noted, adding, “Our police have responded to attacks, provocations without violating the law … and have written a saga of heroism.”
Erdogan’s remarks came as his government has been widely criticized by human rights groups and its Western allies for using excessive force against protesters.
The unrest in Turkey began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in at Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest against a proposal to demolish Gezi Park.
The protesters said Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies…
View original post 209 more words
Footprints of Thoughts 
Jane, I agree that people should have the freedom to peacefully protest without fear of violence and retribution. The photos show streets filled with blood, horrifying injuries to young and old alike. Scary. This is not the only country where this brutality happens. I saw a photo of a woman, apart from a crowd, tear gassed. There were at least 3 police or military confronting her. Why did they resort to violence, especially when they outnumbered her?
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment, Judy. Yes, I saw that photo of the woman also–where she is outnumbered. I do not understand the violence in this world…I only know that there is too much of it.Even here in the USA, there is too much violence…any violence is too much! Just think about the Occupy Movement and how the protestors were sprayed with pepper spray and they had no weapons! Instead of our world becoming more peaceful and caring, fear s growing…poverty is growing. Just think in our own USA there are more and more families everyday who are homeless. Speaking about politics is difficult–inevitably people get angry at what is said–but the truth needs to be put out there. If no one speaks, then what will happen? I fear what is happening in the state where I reside…Wisconsin. The policies of our present Governor are ruining the education of our children, neglecting the poor and elderly. The state seems to be almost evenly divided–by the time the other half wakes up–it may be too late. Already, the Republican Congress is determined to change the Farm Bill–this will eliminate the family farm if the farmers are not subsidized–especially after last summer’s drought and now this year’s continual rain. It seems no one is concerned until it hits their pocket book. Much work to be done — life is full of challenges.
LikeLike