Media Contact – Gaye Ozpinar / Fusun H. Tufan – Tel: (641) 715- 3900 x 677028# – info@bostonbul.org
July 30, 2013, 11am, State House (Room 437), 24 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, MA, July 29, 2013 – Bostonbul (www.bostonbul.org) and a panel of experts will be discussing the recent protests in Turkey with introduction from Representative Denise Provost. The discussion will focus on why the protests started, how they developed into country-wide demonstrations and the human rights violations during and after the protests. The discussion panel will include Lenore G. Martin, Ph. D., Professor of Political Science at Emmanuel College, and a number of experts, some of whom witnessed the protests. Senator Patricia D. Jehlen will also be present at the event.
The movement that started in Turkey on May 27 as peaceful protests against the demolition of a public park has turned into a mass struggle for human rights and democracy. Throughout the past 2 months, millions of people have joined the movement in many cities of Turkey and abroad.
Unnecessary and excessive use of tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, beatings and live ammunition has led to 5 civilian deaths and more than 8000 injuries.
The police have systematically used tear gas as a weapon on demonstrators, firing tear gas canisters directly at protestors at close range and in closed spaces. Over 130,000 tear gas canisters have reportedly been used.
Police and other law enforcement officials have deliberately attacked independent medical personnel and facilities and beaten and detained dozens of medical personnel for providing emergency medical care to those injured.
The police have beaten and illegally detainedhundreds of people, including journalists who are covering the events and the lawyers representing the detained protestors and/ or supporting the protest themselves.
In addition to this direct violence, thousands of peoplesupporting the people’s movement have been detained and blacklistedfor expressing their opinions.
This legislative briefing is one in a series of events Bostonbul is organizing to raise awareness about these issues. Bostonbul is comprised of Massachusetts residents who aim to support civil liberties, democracy and human rights by promoting open dialogue.
29 July 2013
Source: bostonbul.org
