We will not be deterred by a few plunderers that go to that square...
-- Tayyip Ergodan, Prime Minister of Turkey
I am a housewife... Part of... the women following Ataturk's principles.
I work in the textiles industry. I am here for Gezi Park.
I am a student and I want to preserve my future.
I am a pensioner. Shall we leave the country established by Ataturk alone?
I am a Kemalist and I am here so that the Turkish Republic will live forever.
I am a sensitive citizen. I am here because I don't want these trees to disappear and nature to be harmed.
As a health worker I saw the patients that came to the emergency room... I witnessed the violence exerted on them. I saw patients with head trauma, in asthma crisis as aresult of the gas bombs... We are here to support the people and to show everyone we are united in solidarity.
I am a common citizen... Nobody brought me here. Today, there are people here who have never participated in any demonstrations. The political tool that is called democracy does not leave us any other options.... People signed petitions... they did lots of things. But nothing worked, none of us were able to accomplish anything. And in the end, we came here in person to show this. He didn't leave us any other options.
I am a musician and I am here for my freedom. I will keep coming even if it lasts for one or two months.
I am 35 years old. I work in the private sector. I am not a plunderer. I am here for my own future. I am here for my present and future.
A hearty shout-out to Mayors Quan, Bloomberg, and Adams, Chancellors Birgeneau and Katehi, the Department of Homeland Security, Holder, Obama and all the rest who made this tweet below possible...
helping to legitimize the violence last week, the continuing violence across Turkey...
... and making a possible future police attack on Gezi more likely:
11:22 AM PT: Update from Takim Square today