YOUNG TURKS ARE TIRED OF BEING ARRESTED: Some in the West may see the last decade in Turkey as a consolidation of democracy for this erstwhile military-dominated state, but a generation who have come of age under AKP rule see it differently.
A recent release on YouTube from the Trabzon-based Student Solidarity group (in Turkish: Öğrenci Dayanışması) highlights the increasing rate at which Turkish students are being charged with little else other than what more enlightened nations would deem "freedom of thought". From wearing the wrong attire, to having the wrong posters & books in their possession, to going to the wrong concerts, it makes for a disturbing trend. To borrow a phrase, Orwell must be rolling over in his grave.
While the video is in Turkish, there are English subtitles to get the message out there. Unfortunately, some of the translation is not quite up to scratch, so here's a tidier version courtesy of İ.D.:
Why do they arrest me?
Because I read prejudicial books. Because saw scientific education in my dream last night. Shouldn't I say that? Because I say stop the unlawful raising of canteen prices. Because I want to speak Homshetsi. Because I don't want to see the selling out the water resources of my country. Because I want to see beautiful days. Because I say muderer Ogün Samast isn't one of us. Because I say we are all Armenians. Because I think. Because I love red-spotted trouts. Because I am not selfish and competitive. Because I attend Halay [a traditional dance of eastern Turkey] on 8th of March. Because I say that State Theaters should not be closed. Because I want free education. Because I want a democratic university. Because I want justice. Because I say "long live the brotherhood of the people" on 1st of May. Because I go to Grup Yorum concerts. Because I don't want to drink tea with radiation. Because I say stop to the Council of Higher Education. Because I am against unemployment, life without a future, and education strict on memorization presented by obsolete brains. Because I believe that another world is possible. Because I was in Hopa on 31st of May. Because I do not know that wearing the traditional Poshu scarf is prohibited in my country.