A Quick Look at Occupy Gezi movement from an Iranian Perspective

By: Sandbad

I went to Manchester Solidarity with Occupy Gezi demonstration on 3rd of June. Main reason to go was to speak to supporters of this movement first hand in order to find out what their demands are as recent incidents in Turkey has given rise to many debates in Iranian diaspora.

Some Iranians saw this as a populist and revolutionary movement with an uncertain goal which is in total ignorance of economical achievements of Erdoğan government. In online debates on several occasions Occupy Gezi was compared to Iranian revolution of 1979 which only made the situation worse in Iran both in political and economical terms by handing the country over to unprogressive and Islamist elements of society.

Speaking to some Turkish friends who were at the solidarity event in Manchester this doesn't seem to be the case for Turkey.

What I realized today was that even though there was some degree of uncertainty about the ideal outcome of this uprising but Occupy Gezi movement was in no way after change of political regime in Turkey. Most of protesters were carrying Ataturk pictures and this was an indication that their demands however not quiet clear but was not beyond the current constitution and political structure in Turkey.

Those who I spoke with were more concerned about out of proportion reaction of Turkish police against peaceful protests in Gezi Park in Istanbul and as I was told this was not the first time in recent times that the police had reacted to peaceful protests in such a manner.

Also there was a strong worry amongst protesters that the Islamist ruling party of Erdoğan is following a crawling policy by gradually taking control of entire political structure by installing its loyal friends in important and critical positions. There was an affirmation that Erdoğan hasn't yet been in breach of any laws in doing so however the protesters were worried that he was at a stage that he could attempt breaching the law in pursue of this goals.

Some of the protesters were fearful that Erdoğan is gradually Islamizing the way of life in Turkey and they were pointing to recent limitations set on sale of alcohol and the day after birth control pills and abortion.

Also they were concerns that Erdoğan’s actions will facilitate involvement of religion in politics of the country.

There also was a strong believe that Erdoğan is abusing power by licencing people near him to develop Gezi Park to a shopping mall. Also number of demonstrators were suspicious that Erdoğan has personal interest in that project and that's why he insists on Gezi Park's development to continue despite the demonstrations..

Some of the protesters believed that Turkish media were ordered not to cover the recent demonstrations also some believed internet speed in Turkey have been intentionally lowered in order to make it harder for protesters to get in touch with the outside world.

After spending an evening with Turkish protesters in Manchester my impression is the demonstrations are justified and necessary. I don’t think there is a demand to change the political regime in Turkey and I think if there is any intention on Erdoğan side to Islamise Turkey and to take over the whole political system before the next elections this demonstrations can possibly discourage him from such endeavor. 

In addition these demonstrations will show the Islamists within Turkey that the secular demands are strong and there will be fierce resistance against their possible charge to political power.

So I am personally supportive of the demonstrations. 

The Manchester demonstration I have attended today went peacefully. The slogans were against fascism, against acts of dictatorship protesters believed was committed by Erdoğan and chants for him to resign. There was a dose of nationalism involved as well but not to a level that I feel I was amongst a group of rightists.

Also a quick compare of situation in Turkey with Iran, I think Erdoğan reaction is nowhere near as brutal as an Iranian possible reaction to a similar uprising in Iran could be. We remember what happened in summer 2009 in Iran so I won’t go into much detail. As an example in Turkey if Erdoğan reduces the internet speed (shall this be the case as I was told) in Iran internet and mobile networks go completely offline whenever there is slightest of political unrest.

Also even though it has been a massive and national wide protest and I have to agree the police reaction were out of proportion on occasions the cost on human life was minimal (and mainly by accident) when compare this with hundreds of Iranians who were killed during 2009 unrest (many of whom were fired at with intention to kill) I have to agree that Erdoğan's evil is in no way comparable with his Iranian counterparts.