Erdem Gunduz, a professional dancer from the Turkish city of Izmir, arrived just outside of Taksim Square, the site of the largest anti-government protests in the nation, last night. He stopped, and stood quietly, his hands in his pockets.
Gunduz stood there for hours, attracting a crowd, and gaining the nickname Duran Adam, literally “the standing man.” By morning hundreds of others had joined him in standing just outside of the square, now under police lock-down, and looking on disapprovingly. Standing man was a hit.
Though Turkish officials insisted they wouldn’t move against any protests that didn’t threaten “public order,” police were quick to sweep in on the scene, arresting dozens of copy-cats for just standing there.
Most of the protesters were released by evening, and Gunduz is there again tonight, along with a large number of others, standing and facing a portrait of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk’s secular values, contrasted with the violence of the religious conservatives of the ruling party, says it all, and everyone just stands there noticing it.
There is many ways demanding for democracy and freedom.., on of them is to silently demanding for democracy and freedom.., while your friends going on strike demanding the same as you do. I wish I could say that for the American working man and women.
The Turkish security generals are very stupid, let those guys stand up silent for as long as they like. Eventually they will tire and go home. Then there is the fact that the more people do it the less dramatic it gets.
"… the more people do it the less dramatic it gets."
Oh, I don't know…500,000 people just standing might be a pretty impressive statement…
But there will always be the outliers who will resort to violence because just standing there is phenomenally boring – and it takes too long. And those demanding instantaneous satisfaction don't have the patience nor understanding to just stand there. And THEN the statement will be useless.
Just a variation on Gandhi's non violent technique that caused the British to be thrown out of India. It's very effective because the "machines" suited up against them are all for beating and pummeling. Standing there with guns and heavy equipment tense and ready for action and not getting any will tire the "machines" out quicker than the humans.
Jason, I don't understand the purpose of the picture attached to this story. Shouldn't the photo be of 'Standing Man' instead of Crocodiles Rampant?
If only Americans were this brave.
Choreographed courtesy of Madison Ave. Seriously, “secular” Ataturk and the murder of millions of Armenians. Liberal crowd just has too much time on their hands. Clearly, do not have to work for living. I wish I knew the secret to their success.