The uprising began at the end of last month when a group of environmentalists protested the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last pieces of green space in Istanbul. The demolition will make room for the reconstruction of the historic Taksim Military Barracks- with the proposal of a shopping mall as well. Protests have spread into other cities in Turkey, all while the park and Taksim Square remains Occupied. Tear gas has been released, both Turks and foreigners have been arrested, and many political figures have spoken out with disapproval towards the response of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Guy Martin covered some of the events and his images have been published by Time’s Lightbox, along with a short write up of his experience.
As we watched Occupy Wall Street develop not long ago, it’s important to understand how images of conflict shape the way we discuss our histories years from now. History has been retold and reinforced by those who had the power to tell their story. The wonderful thing about the Internet, camera phones, and the citizen photographer, is that is provides the opportunity for many perspectives to be recorded, not just the perspective of those who maintain the power to publish.
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