People died to protect their imperfect democracy.
Over 160 lost their lives; 1,440 are left wounded. In a staggering night of street conflict, media spin, military warfare and brutal murder, a military coup in Turkey was averted. The situation is far from stable, but martial law has been averted.
https://twitter.com/margarita/status/754099520057798656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
There are deep schisms within Turkish society; these are numerous, complex and layered. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime is both adored and reviled, with his critics claiming him to be a fierce totalitarian.
Many would love for him to be deposed.
https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/754191322177802240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
However, it is a testament to the brave civilians who took to the streets on Friday night that they fought to preserve their democracy against the odds. A military curfew was emphatically ignored as the people made a proud stand.
Man vs steel ; powerful pictures #Turkey pic.twitter.com/DOAEkOMnSV
— Pedram Khodadadi (@PedramKD) July 15, 2016
They know things are far from perfect, and they are all too aware of the sometimes brutal treatment of dissidents, protestors, political rivals and minorities.
But they would not allow men in army fatigues to forcibly wrestle power from the electorate.
One way to stop a tank. #Turkey pic.twitter.com/NBZqTZijIw
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) July 15, 2016
They lay in front of tanks, they confronted ground and air attack head on, and they ousted armed soldiers from their media. They essentially risked their lives to maintain a status quo that many of them vehemently oppose.
#Turkey state channel TRT back on air after being seized by coup supporters – pro-government forces now in controlhttps://t.co/Jsj12GlBg0
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 16, 2016
The future is uncertain for so many reasons.
There may well be a renewed coup attempt. There are grave concerns about how captured soldiers will be treated. Even if a level of normality returns relatively quickly, the events of the night will leave deep scars.
People arresting soldiers in the streets of #Turkey pic.twitter.com/LUHVCGlTk5
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) July 16, 2016
But when loyalists and reformists, those proudly religious and passionately secular, and the often victimised Kurdish community stand as one for an imperfect democracy that divides them all, no army can possibly compete with that.
Many amazing journalists, academics, activists who are fierce critiques of AKP consistently spoke against the coup attempt. Really proud
— Ziya Meral (@Ziya_Meral) July 16, 2016
Chief of staff gave press declaration: The coup attempt is averted. Turkey gave 90 casulties, but democracy is saved.
— Mustafa Akyol (@AkyolinEnglish) July 16, 2016
Think of the bravery of Turkish dissidents, journalists, politicians & citizens opposing a coup that's trying to remove a govt they despise.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) July 16, 2016
The Turkish people are divided politically but seem to be united behind principle that those divisions are to be resolved by them, not army.
— Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer) July 16, 2016
