On the Czech radio

I was interviewed by Dalibor Zíta for 23.6. edition of Student plus - programme of the Czech radio made by students for students...and here is what I had to say about the situation in Istanbul. The original interview was in Czech language so I made English translation for you.

 

Why did such widespread demonstrations appear across all Turkey when it all started with a small demonstration against demolition of the park?

The people are tired with the authoritative style of governing. They are always told what will be done and there is not much space to show another opinion. When the people start peaceful demonstration, police is sent against them. Gas and water canons are used. And this time the people said stop, we’ve had enough.

Allegedly the protesting people are destroying cars and they are behaving like vandals, PM himself suggested there are terrorist groups who joined the protests. What is your opinion?

I find this totally absurd. Majority of the protests are peaceful. I saw the people who took dust bins after the first weekend of clashes with police and they cleaned Istiklal and Taksim so well, that you could „eat from the ground“ how clean it was. Yes, of course there are individuals who commit acts of violence. But those are exceptions of the rule, because truly the majority of the protests are peaceful. Of course, when you have actual clash with police the people react somehow. But again, mostly the protests are peaceful, the biggest thing people do is that they shout the slogans. You can also see the new way of protest which is just standing still and silent.

You have been studying in Turkey for a few months; did the unexpected start of the protests surprise you? Because I was myself in Turkey about a month ago and it didn´t look like something similar to this is going to happen.

Well, there already were big demonstrations on the first May, although from totally different reasons. And yes, I was very surprised. Even in the practical way because  I was in the city close to Taksim, on Friday evening when the massive protests broke out. So yes, I can say I was very much taken by surprise.

How do the protests influence the life in the city right now?                 

In most of the city parts you don’t realize something is going on. The protests are concentrated to Taksim and Besiktas, some peaceful demonstrations take place in other parts of the city also. Now the protests changed place and they take place in city parks, people sit on the grass, music is playing. The life goes on. The fears of tourists are ungrounded. There is absolutely no reason at all to cancel your holidays. If you avoid places like Taksim, you won’t even notice something is happening.

Now the protests take more silent and peaceful form. People gather in parks, they sit. Instead of clapping hands they wave fingers in the air so that they can’t be accused of disturbing public order. At first sight the situation calmed down. But the protests go on and the people join them with the same energy as before.

I can see that there are less people supporting the protests indirectly – for example by making noise with spoons and pans after nine o clock in the street, it is not as loud as it used to be.  But the protests still go on.