As I’ve said in a few of my posts, whilst in Turkey I went to Istanbul Pride. I went with a big group of people from Global Power Shift and it was just amazing. Instead of doing a reflection or similar I decided I’d share the video I took from the rally (check out some of my pieces in Sydney Star Observer on Istanbul – Istanbul! (Or how I managed to get caught up in a Turkish pride march) & another that doesn’t seem to be online – I will try and get it soon). I think the video will do more justice that anything I can write.
A few notes. The rally attracted about 50,000 people – a huge turnout. We marched from Taksim Square (the infamous Square, whose destruction sparked a national movement over the last 2 months) and headed down the Istiklal – the main street in Beyoglu – or the new town. At the end, we sat in a Square, dranks beer, and then danced at Istanbul’s only gay and lesbian bar, and then at a bar called ‘Topless’ until about 4:30 in the morning. It was a great night!
You will here a few chants in the videos. The main ones were (translated):
– “This is just the beginning. The resistance will go on.” – This is the main chant from the protest movement in Turkey over the last month or so.
– “We will not be silenced. We are gays and lesbians”, and my personal favourite:
– “You better escape, the faggots are coming.” This one was best used when we walked passed a group of Islamofacists who were engaging in a counter-protest.
Anyway, here is the video. Enjoy! (p.s. if you’re a fan of cats, make sure you watch the last video!)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9t_jUOO4vE&w=560&h=315]
At the start of the rally as the crowd gathered we went to Burger King and watched from their balcony. You can see the energy in the crown.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-O6pXfJU8&w=560&h=315]
One of the favourite ‘actions’ of the crowd was to sing a song (I don’t know what it was) whilst everyone jumped up and down. It was really fun, and here you can see it in action from above. With such a big crowd, the action went in waves. It was quite amazing!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xayWfoA50s0&w=560&h=315]
This is just a great example of the key chant ‘Bu Daha Başlangıç Mücadeleye Devam’ in action. This means, ‘This is just the beginning, the resistance will continue’ and has been the catch cry of the Turkish movement. It doesn’t start until about 1/2 through, but you can get a real sense of the power of it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heA9uyG3XHA&w=560&h=315]
Don’t really know what was happening here – but this part of the crowd was doing this and enjoying it!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDEVxk4RlPk&w=560&h=315]
Just come great chanting and noise here
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l84-1Un8LrI&w=560&h=315]
And finally, rally chant cat! This can was in charge of letting everyone know the chant words.