Wellington NZ's Own Gezi Park

The protesters’ banner attached to the railings overlooking the green

I was living in Turkey during the Gezi Park demonstrations against the government's plan to raze that
small green space, and build a shopping mall. Although the demonstration was peaceful, and non-
threatening, the police reacted violently with tear gas, and water cannons, inflaming the situation. I couldn't help but compare this with the attempt by residents of Wellington to prevent their local council from selling or leasing this tiny green space to a private developer.

Jack Ilott Green is a tiny sanctuary among concrete high rises

I will admit that the park doesn’t look much, but that is because the local council have stopped all maintenance on it, according to the protesters.

Collecting signatures for the petition to the Wellington City Council

This was the sign behind the protesters’ table.

I love it when the people speak. I believe this petition has already collected over 8,000 signatures.If the developers do move in, perhaps they can have an ‘Occupy Jack Ilott Green’. Although, unlike 'Occupy Gezi Park’, I can't imagine the New Zealand police donning riot gear, bringing in water cannons, and tear gassing the protesters, so perhaps ‘Occupy Jack Ilott Green’ is the way to go.

More information can be found on  http://savejackilottgreen.my-free.website/ and
https://www.facebook.com/savejackillottgreen/

Elizabeth Coughlan

Demonstrations Continue in Istanbul!

 A great cheer went up when this vehicle arrived on the scene!

There is absolute chaos in Bagdat Caddesi now. The people have taken over the street and blocked the traffic. They are marching up and down chanting, clapping their hands, banging pots and pans, whistling, and singing songs; added to which, the few cars that manage to get through, are sounding their horns, while motorbikes rev their engines as hard as they can. Occasionally a huge cheer goes up, and the noise is extraordinary!

At the moment, there is no sign of police, so, although the noise is deafening, there is absolutely no violence. In fact, it is almost a carnival-like atmosphere! Unfortunately, they show no sign of going home, so it looks as though we are in for another long night!

Istanbul now!

Protesters wave the Turkish flag as they drive down Bagdat Caddesi

From our vantage point on our balcony, overlooking Bagdat Caddesi, we watch, as ordinary Turkish people protest. The noise is deafening, as every passing car continually sounds its horn. As I write this, it is two in the afternoon, but we suffered this noise throughout the night, until four thirty this morning. In the early hours of today, thousands of marchers waving flags and chanting, marched down our street, not once, but four times!

 Amazingly, I haven't seen anyone fall out of a car ...yet!

This all started out as a peaceful demonstration to prevent the park by Taksim Square being bulldozed, so that a shopping mall could be built over it. Unfortunately, the police response was unnecessarily brutal, as they sprayed the demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons. The result is that this has now escalated into an anti government protest.

Demonstrators in Bagdat Caddesi this afternoon

It seems that the people are tired of an authoritarian government that takes no notice of them and their needs, but forces through its own agenda without reference to its citizens. We are mere bystanders throughout this, as it is not our fight.

However, I will try to update any further incidences happening outside our door. Meanwhile, we are being deafened, as the protests continue...