People cannot get their rights without taking to the streets. This is an undeniable truth. Governments, no matter how democratic they claim to be, rarely hand out rights freely. They must be demanded. They must be fought for. And in a country like Türkiye, where the ruling party has spent over two decades consolidating power, protests are not just necessary—they are the last line of defense against tyranny.
The streets of Istanbul have been filled with protesters once again. The recent demonstrations against Erdogan’s oppressive regime have reminded everyone of an old reality: power never concedes without resistance. From police brutality to unlawful detentions, the Turkish government has once again shown its true colors. Protesters have been beaten, arrested, and threatened. Yet, despite the risks, people continue to rise.
Erdogan’s Unlawful Practices: Past and Present
Erdogan’s authoritarian grip on Türkiye is no secret. Since coming to power, he has systematically dismantled democratic institutions, silenced opposition, and reshaped the country to fit his own Islamist agenda. The Gezi Park protests in 2013 were one of the first major uprisings against his rule. People took to the streets to protect one of Istanbul’s last green spaces, but it quickly turned into a full-blown rebellion against Erdogan’s increasing authoritarianism. The response? Police brutality, mass arrests, and a crackdown on civil liberties.
Fast forward to today, and not much has changed. Erdogan has manipulated the judiciary, imprisoned journalists, shut down media outlets, and ensured that every election goes in his favor. The recent protests in Istanbul are proof that the people have had enough. Economic collapse, corruption, and increasing Islamist policies have pushed even those who once supported him to question his leadership. But as always, instead of listening, he chooses repression.
The Cost of Silence
A society that does not react to oppression can never be free. The unresponsive masses are the dream of every dictator. When people do not take to the streets, governments take it as permission to do as they please. Erdogan has been able to stay in power for so long not just because of his political tactics, but because large sections of the public have remained silent.
Many Turks, weary of instability, have chosen to ignore what is happening. They say, “Politics is dirty, I don’t get involved.” But politics gets involved in them. Prices skyrocket, freedoms disappear, and one day, they find themselves in a country they no longer recognize. Türkiye’s history has shown time and again that those who remain silent in the face of injustice only suffer more in the end.
The Unbreakable Spirit of Resistance
Yet, no matter how much Erdogan and his predecessors have tried, they have never been able to fully silence the Turkish people. The protest culture in Türkiye is deeply rooted. From the workers’ movements of the early Republic years to the student uprisings of the 1960s and the Gezi Park resistance, there has always been a rebellious spirit in this land. The people of Türkiye have never accepted oppression without a fight.
Governments have always tried to suppress protests. They label demonstrators as “terrorists,” jail activists, and use extreme police force. But history has shown that repression only fuels resistance. The recent protests in Istanbul are just another chapter in this ongoing struggle.
Türkiye Will Never Be an Islamic State
One of Erdogan’s biggest dreams is to turn Türkiye into an Islamic state. He has done everything in his power to Islamize education, the legal system, and even daily life. But there is one thing he has failed to understand: the nature of the Turkish people.
Turks are not an Arab society. The history of this land is not one of blind submission to religious rule. From the pagan traditions of the ancient Turks to Atatürk’s secular revolution, the Turkish identity has never been purely Islamic. Erdogan and his followers may want an Islamic republic, but they will never succeed.
Secularism is deeply embedded in Türkiye’s DNA. Kemalism is not just an ideology; it is the foundation of modern Türkiye. The people may have been pushed towards conservatism in recent years, but history shows that every attempt to impose Islamic rule on Türkiye has failed. It will fail again.
Bottom Line
I see these protests as a crucial moment in our struggle. Kemalism reminds us of our duty to protect secularism and democracy. Erdogan’s rule is the complete opposite of these principles.
Our duty is clear: we must resist. We must organize. We must not allow Erdogan’s dictatorship to rewrite history and turn Türkiye into something it is not. Protests are not just a reaction; they are a necessity. If we do not take to the streets, we surrender our future. And that is something we simply cannot afford.
The protests in Istanbul are a wake-up call. The people of Türkiye are not defeated. They are angry. They are determined. And they are ready to fight for their rights.
History has shown that no dictator lasts forever. Erdogan’s time will come to an end, just as all oppressors before him have fallen. The question is not whether Türkiye will reclaim its democracy—it is only a matter of when.
But that future will not be handed to us. It must be taken. And that begins in the streets.
