Week 44 - Mixed messages lead to protests in Turkey

Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Gul- Aegean Coast, Turkey




 The weather was icy cold last week, when I said I can’t take another day, suddenly that feeling of spring was in the air. 


 According to the Turkish folk calendar, the first Cemre - imagine a meteor fireball passing by up in the sky, warming the air - fell on Feb 19 and 20.


There are two more yet to fall, one on Feb 26 and 27 and the last two in March – also will lead to the New Year Nevruz (Nowruz, Iranian). 


  They say the first Cemre always falls to the air, the second to the water, and the third to the earth. 


Nowadays, because of warmer weather, we are able to have coffee in our garden with our neighbors and have a chat. Otherwise, we were overwhelmed with loneliness. 



POLITICAL CRAZINESS

 Our ordinary lives can be boring but daily politics is the opposite, there was a controversial event almost every day this week. 



 This country will make all of us mentally sick. It is impossible not to go crazy. 


 For example, while Turkey’s number of daily cases is up and many restrictions are on our daily life, the ruling party organizes a nonstop crowded congress. 


 Can you believe the President holds indoor rallies with thousands of people? While people bury their loved ones without family and friends, there are funerals attended by large crowds, including President Erdogan. 


 Last week, more than 30,000 people have faced legal action for failing to abide by the countrywide weeknight and weekend curfews. 




On the other hand, ski resorts are full despite the lockdown, people stay in resorts with a 4-day stay.


Turkey is locked down but not if you’re rich. 


These images of funerals and party congress are making doctors and us, ordinary people, concerned.


Let’s not forget the number of healthcare workers who have lost their lives is around almost 400 and 28,000 people lost their lives.





ONGOING PROTEST

 Bogazici students have been protesting against the appointment of an unelected rector by Turkish President Erdogan, since January. 


 Alongside the student protests, Bogazici academics have been holding silent protests every day in front of the new rectors’ office, turning their backs on the rectorate for 20 minutes. 


 Many academics around the world, have denounced the rector appointment and expressed their solidarity with the students and the academics of Bogazici University. 




HOPE FOR DEMOCRACY

 Former leader of HDP Selahattin Demirtas who is still behind bars for over four years has written an article. 


 He said the upcoming elections will not be among parties, identities, or beliefs; they will be between the good and evil ones.’ I like him. I hope there’s still hope for Turkish democracy.

 

 


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