Joanne Thomas Yaccato is the president and founder of the Toronto-based consulting firm The Canadian visitor captures images of Istanbul protesters.
by Joanne Thomas Yaccato
International business consultant Joanne Thomas Yaccato has just returned from Istanbul, where her intended project was cut short by the public uprising in Taksim Square, over a government decision to allow construction on Gezi Park, one of the few remaining public parks in the city. Her hotel was close enough to Taksim Square to provide a view of the action, and a whiff of the tear gas. Repeatedly over about 18 hours, she said, riot police used water canons and tear gas to chase the public out of the square. Some of the protesters fought back with fireworks, which made loud bangs, and some threw rocks, but eventually they retreated. Then the police hung around for a couple of hours, and sometimes they left, and eventually the people returned whether they left or not.
In the morning, Thomas Yaccato left her hotel and visited Taksim Square, which showed signs of a horrific conflict. Oddly enough, few people people seem to have reported injuries. In fact, in these pictures, the protesters' camp looks a bit like an Occupy camp. Not only are the tents and heaps of blankets and sleeping bags familiar, but in just over a week, the (mostly) young people had organized a makeshift hospital, a central kitchen, a clothing distribution centre, and even a library — although most of the books were damaged by a water canon.
Straight Goods is pleased to be able to present some of Joanne Thomas Yaccato's photos and comments, which offer rare insight into an event that's still unfolding. Although Thomas Yaccato reports the crowd seems infused with a cheerful determination, such protest does carry risks in Turkey, way beyond water canons and tear gas. Could these events be called the Turkish Spring? Have a look at these images and decide for yourself. If nothing else, Taksim Square will probably be remembered as the first encampment where demonstrators gathered around a baby grand piano for singalongs led by celebrated concert pianists like Germany's Davide Martello, or the Sicilian artist who performed the following night.
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