Standing Man protesters call for democracy silently in Turkey

       
A new form of protest - Standing Man protest - has sprung up in Istanbul, Turkey this week.            

Turkey has been the scene of violent protests over the past three weeks, with police using tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators.             

Istanbul's Taksim Square, the location of some of the fiercest clashes, is now the center of a new form of demonstration. The Standing Man protesters aim to have their voices heard - silently.            

They call it the Standing Man protest. Passive and powerful. The protester stands still, in silence, for as long as possible. The act is completely within the law and more importantly - peaceful.           

The protest method was first used by Defne Erdur, a teacher. When she stood in defiance in Gezi Park last month, she was tear gassed by police.         

Last Week a disciple - artist and dancer - Erdem Gunduz took a stance that made "the standing man" a phenomenon. As he stood for hours, Erdem, who in the past has protested the wearing of head scarves at Universities, was joined by others.              

The movement spread to other locations in Turkey as well.            

Since the beginning of the Standing Man movement, there has always been at least one standing man in front of the Ataturk cultural center here to continue the protests. 
           
The government so far has been more tolerant of this protest. It hopes violence at least can be prevented.             

Protests of various forms will continue in Turkey. But the government now hopes to reduce tensions to get the nation back to business, building a stronger economy and a better quality of life for many people.               


AP