Resist Istanbul – Protests in Venice
Saturday June 1: Protesters at a solidarity rally in Venice during the Venice Biennale included Arsenale protest with Turkish pavilion artist Ali Kazma, Turksih pavilion curator Emre Baykal, Salt curator Duygu Demir, Istanbul biennial curator Fulya Erdemci, Turkish artist Halil Altindere and others.
Photos Üstüngel Inanc
In the last few days, the world is watching Turkey erupt in protest after Turkish authorities responded with shocking violence to peaceful protesters trying to save a small park in central Istanbul. When the protests began five days ago on Tuesday, May 28, protesters, in a move that is somewhat reminiscent of Occupy Wall Street’s occupation of Zuccotti Park, occupied Gezi Park in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district.
Amnesty International issued a statement quoting John Dalhuisen, Director of Europe and Central Asia Programme at Amnesty International:
“The use of tear gas against peaceful protestors and in confined spaces where it may constitute a serious danger to health is unacceptable, breaches international human rights standards and must be stopped immediately.”
“The Turkish authorities must order police to halt any excessive use of force and urgently investigate all reports of abuse. They have a duty to ensure that people can exercise their right to free expression and assembly.”