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Is violence an efficient tool for anti-capitalist resistance?
However, the İstanbul protests against the IMF-World Bank meeting were unusually violent, and as such, they will be remembered. Vandalism during the events caused financial damage to many workers, civil servants and ordinary citizens -- the very people whose rights anti-globalization protestors claim to represent and protect -- which really does not help the protestors' message against capitalism and globalization.
Commenting on the protest's participants, a sales manager of a famous jeans company who asked to remain anonymous stated that although the main goal of the protests is to cause financial damage to foreign firms operating in Turkey, they actually disturbed everyone in the street. “Even though we are a Turkish company, the protests damaged us. We had to close our store, and I called my colleagues and told them to go downstairs to protect themselves,” she said, noting that she does not believe that the participants of the protests took a stance against globalization. “They are seeking an opportunity to use violence. I don't think they really want to take a stance against globalization.”
A police officer working on İstiklal Street said most of the participants are university students, and in relation to these protests, the large number of female protestors drew his attention. “Even the concept of the protest changed; the protestors are generally the same people,” said the police officer, complaining about criticism towards police. “They really provoked us by insulting us; we are also human. Media usually miss this point.”
Mikail Şentürk, the manager of Hala restaurant, located near the Akbank Taksim branch, which was severely damaged by demonstrators, said even though his restaurant was not directly targeted, he had to close it because he and his staff were afraid that the protestors would enter the restaurant to elude police officers.
“Although the protests stopped yesterday, people still have security concerns one day after the protests -- they are worried about coming to İstiklal Street. Therefore, we have very few customers compared to normal days,” stated Şentürk, complaining that security should be tighter and that security checkpoints at the entrances of the street should be created to stop potential protestors and to ensure safety in the area. The experienced manager, who has been working at the same restaurant for several years, also noted that the recent protests were more violent than the sensational May Day protests.
The protestors attacked foreign firms such as Adidas, Starbucks and McDonalds and banks on İstiklal Street and in Cihangir. Yet, İst Café, a famous place owned by Turkish businessman Hakan Erkan, was also attacked by protestors.
“That is not democracy. That is not a movement against capitalism. These protests only served to show that their participants are degenerates. ”Neither our employees nor our customers feel secure in the restaurant,” said Erkan. He said he also disagrees with the policies of the IMF and the World Bank, adding that he wants to a join reasonable, nonviolent and meaningful demonstration against globalization.
Erkan noted that the international image of İstanbul was negatively affected following the violent protests and told an interesting anecdote. “Just a few minutes before the protesters attacked my cafe, the president of Mongolia visited the cafe for lunch. While the protestors were chanting things against globalization, I was upstairs explaining the beauty of İstanbul to the statesman,” he said laughingly.
Tansel Parlak from the Young Civilians, a group of young people that have had numerous successful demonstrations using creative methods, told Sunday's Zaman that the violence the demonstrators used actually decreases the effectiveness of the protests. “The media focused on the violence in the protests. But by using smarter methods, the message of anti-capitalism can reach more people,” Parlak stated. He also emphasized that all of the people who joined the protests should not be treated as terrorists or provocateurs, although a considerable number acted improperly and do not have an ideological stance against capitalism or globalization.
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