As a result of the lately widespread oppression of the government, which gained a fascist character, a countrywide rebellion took place. The government wanted to demolish a park in Istanbul in order to build a shopping mall there and attacked a peaceful demonstration and occupation with its police on May 28th.
The events that started at 5 AM continued throughout the day and turned into a grassroots rebellion later on. The people, who joined the uprising instinctively, filled up the streets. There were violent conflicts in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and all over the country, even villages.
The main reason behind the rebellion was that the AKP government, which is a puppet of imperialism, wanted to force people to do everything they wanted with an oppressive and derogatory attitude. They dictated anti-secular laws; they are feeding Islamist-fascist groups inside Turkey, they are attacking Allawites, etc. Even though, right now there are various street demonstrations; the rebellion that developed spontaneously against the previous oppressive policies of the dictatorship of capital has a democratic character. It was the left-wing organisations who demonstrated a determination to continue the resistance on the 31st of May who led the protests.
The militants of IWL-FI were involved in the conflicts since the first day of the protest and they stayed by the barricades. Towards noon, the barricades were starting to be built in Taksim with the people’s participation. Although the attacks of the police were hard, thousands of people resisted till morning. Saturday ( June, 1st) afternoon, the police couldn’t suppress the rebellion and had to completely retreat from the square, and the people occupied Taksim Square. The IWL-FI’s militants were among the first ones who entered Taksim Square. Two of IWL-FI’s militants were seriously injured during the fights. Both were the target of tear gas bombshells who hit them. Some others were also lightly injured. 1000 people were detained and around 1000 people were injured. As being shown by the videos, the police throw tear gas bombs into homes, boats that approached the pier, they drive towards people with their armoured vehicles and mercilessly fire cannon water against the protesters. The demonstrators who are captured in the alleyways are being tortured.
Violent conflicts continue in Ankara, Adana and İzmir, and even on the conservative cities where the government have amassed a high percentage of votes, like Kayseri, Niğde, Kırıkkale, Erzurum, Konya people join in on the protests. The IWL-FI’s militants are effectively involved in the rebellion everywhere we are situated, mainly in İstanbul, İzmir, Ankara, Antalya, Sakarya, Adana and Bursa.
Currently, the uprising has not a clear working class character; the middle class and petty bourgeoisie seem to be dominant. The resisting people learned how to be organised and this is the first time in the history of Turkey that we’re living a massive active resistance, and where the government is openly challenged. There are participations of every workers groups. The biggest left-wing union of the country, that organises public labourers, KESK, decided to go on strike. Workers trade unions are also discussing to go on strike. However, the weakness of the left-wing and the lack of revolutionary leadership are still heavily present.
Also, the prime minister of the oppressive fascist government, Tayyip Erdoğan, left the country to visit the Moroccan King, who’s just like him. Even though he had exhibited arrogance and insulted the protesters, his face’s colour has shown his real feelings.
In spite of its limited power, the RED Movement had a big impact, and it’s determined to lead and continue this impact. These are our primary slogans today:
· The government should step down.
· The tormentor, killer police, which is the enemy of the people, should be called to account, together with the authorities who led them against the people.
· Let’s organise to protect the streets.
· The barricades are up, now it’s time to go to strike!
· Barricade! Strike! Revolution!
