Is a Non-Violent Way of Resistance Against Violence Possible? Istanbul's Gezi Park As a Battlefield

This paper will examine the interactions between the actors of the Gezi Park urban uprising and the Turkish state in the framework of shifting violent and non-violent strategies. The movement of peaceful, unarmed, non-violent people against the demolition of the Park was faced with violent tactics from the police force, varying from excessive use of tear gas and water cannons to plastic bullets, while streets turned into battlefields. This led to an emotional urban communing process of different political groups with different perspectives or agendas, and even “ordinary” people without any activist experience or intent, which represents a unique characteristic. The approach of the government, fostered by accusing the protesters of being “looters”, has resulted in defensive, as well as new, creative, non-violent (but not always) ways of resistances such as standing still and silent in front of the police or painting stairs in rainbow colors. This study aims to elaborate the two months of resistance spreading over Turkey, from the main reasons behind it, as excessive police intervention, not merely during uprisings, but even before as discursive and political violence; which makes it one of the reasons behind the resistance. Apart from being a participatory action research, this paper will also cover discussions on violence, which was one of the main issues within the movement too.