Issue and Opponent: Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the prime minister of Turkey in 2003. He enjoyed popular public support at the beginning of his rule but quickly started facing dissent as the government grew increasingly authoritarian and anti-secular. Erdogan pushed for the construction of a new international airport nuclear power plant in the Black Sea region. Opposition protestors began to arise over environmental concerns, especially within Gezi Park. In 2012, the government drew up reconstruction plans for Gezi Park, which faced backlash from environmental protestors. This gave way to the environmental protest campaign against Prime Minister Erdogan starting in 2013.
Dilemma Action: On June 17, Erdem Gunduz organized a stand-in protest in Taksim Square. The protester turned to face the Atatürk Culture Centre (AKM), the iconic arts building which dominates Taksim Square. He knew that the country’s primary news agency, Anadolu Agency, had an office overseeing the square. He started standing just like a statue. Police had banned protests in Taksim Square but were confused if a constantly standing man could be arrested as he was not disruptive or anti-social. The protest became popular, and soon more than 300 people joined the first protester. It even spread to other Turkish cities where people started standing still at important locations as a mode of protest. The protestors created the hashtag #direndurandam (“Resist the Standing Man”), which went viral on social media.
Outcomes: The stand-in generated widespread public support and encouraged more activists to get involved in the movement. On July 2, a court officially blocked the initiative to redevelop Gezi Park. It is unclear whether these protests led to achieving greater democracy, as the protestors wanted. The protestors were emboldened by the actions and strengthened future public protest movements.