Violent clashes between Turkish anti-government protesters and police reached a tipping point this weekend, when authorities used tear gas to clear Taksim Square before sealing it off. Protesters are literally standing strong, though, engaging in a form of resistance that on Twitter is being dubbed #StandingMan and #StandingWoman. Just as you’d expect, it consists of nothing more than standing silently.
"Come on world! One by one, we are all standing like #duranadam for a long period without any move. #standingman pic.twitter.com/Q08FLhaQHP"
— Tilbe (@Eve_Lester) June 17, 2013
A perfect example of passive resistance in Taksim Square. One man standing alone for hours! #standingman #duranadam pic.twitter.com/CKVL2Jh1lE
— uygur (@uygurgumuslu) June 17, 2013
Others are now joining the original #standingman Police all round Square but atmosphere relaxed so far pic.twitter.com/RF16kv7LRD
— Chris Morris (@BBCChrisMorris) June 17, 2013
#occupygezi – More and more people are joining the #standingman in Taksim (Tuesday 00:30 AM) http://t.co/4MzT9n5XVr
— opeiratis (@opeiratis) June 17, 2013
Via @T_O_Lee: Standing protest keeps expanding. Now in Kadıkoy#standingman #duranadam pic.twitter.com/6SJP3LllFl @hakan_aygun
— Enough is Enough! (@enough14) June 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/Ratingmakinesi/status/346777747663777792
https://twitter.com/InsanKitapOkur/status/346775684611448833
In the 6th hour of silent protest, Taksim Square is getting crowded by the supporters of #duranadam #standingman pic.twitter.com/SXLYvp3WL0
— ΞᎶΞᗰΞИ (@sobotomy) June 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/ozgegocer/status/346757962318102528
https://twitter.com/exgardengnome/status/346755561905344512
https://twitter.com/canaminadab/status/346757445550485504
This is unconfirmed, but reports are spreading that the original “standing man” has been detained by police. Others say that he ended his standoff voluntarily to prevent the situation from escalating. In either case, his stand has been inspirational.
Police detain the man who has been standing still in taksim square for hours #occupygezi v @koraypekozkay #duranadam pic.twitter.com/peOpd6oxvl
— Irem Koker (@ikoker) June 17, 2013
Standigman detained! Standing still is now acrime in Turkey! R u gonna stand still against this or r u gonna react? #duranadam #standingman
— Mehmet Karlı (@MhmtKarli) June 17, 2013
@SahinAC #standingman #duranadam has ended his peaceful act to save the other supporting pacifists around him. Several of them are detained.
— Şahin Açıkalın (@SahinAC) June 17, 2013
Ultra-pacivist protestor #duranadam #standingman has been detained by the Turkish police after 6 hours. http://t.co/e2BUBsXyJj”
— Deniz Kucukceylan (@DenizKckcyln) June 17, 2013
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Update: Standing Man himself has reportedly been identified, and he looks to be safe and sound.
Standing Man, after his silent protest. MT @cangezmis: @acarvin his name is Erdem Gündüz.He is performer and dancer. http://t.co/Z26Qtl1hhy
— Andy Carvin (@acarvin) June 18, 2013
