before the storm

This is not political. In a time when the news from Turkey is so relentlessly bad, worsening spiral of stupidity and violence from the state, sometimes it's better to take a breath. This is in the village of Hircik, and Sirnan, before a storm.

NINE STORIES OF THE MOUNTAIN fragment

This is a fragment of a longer video piece: an American's journey through North Kurdistan, and a confrontation with Turkish nationalism.

On Saturday in Istanbul, Turkish police gassed and beat members of Parliament

Bianet reporst on the protests last Saturday in Sisli: http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/131037-independent-deputies-stay-in-prison

"Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Şişli on Sunday upon the call of the Democratic City Council organization. The protest was joined by representatives of various political parties and democratic mass organizations and by Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block Istanbul deputies Sebahat Tuncel, Sırrı Süreyya Önder Levent Tüzel and Block deputy for Mersin Ertuğrul Kürkçü.
According to the statement of a reporter of the Etkin News Agency, the demonstrators had planned to walk from Şişli to Taksim. However, they did not get permission despite talks with the Police Directorate. Thereupon, they started a sit-down protest.
Istanbul deputy Sebahat Tuncel was reportedly dragged along the ground and beaten by the police. The police used tear gas and water cannons when the protestors tried to set off for their march.
As reported by the Fırat News Agency, the protestors were attacked in the side streets after the police had managed to disperse the crowd. One protestor was severely wounded and brought to hospital. About 20 people were taken into police custody during the police intervention.
The Members of Parliament were affected by the tear gas as well. Upon the police intervention they announced that this harsh attitude was contrary to the law. They called the Ministry of the Interior to duty to draw a line for the police forces.
The Members of Parliament also participated in the 19th Pride March in Taksim the same day. The walk from Taksim Square along the Istiklal Avenue was monitored by police helicopters. The supporters of the Pride March were exposed to the remains of gas bombs in front of the Galatasaray High School in the middle of Istiklal Avenue.
Sebahat Tuncel made an announcement in front of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Provincial Head Office. She said that 23 people had been taken into police custody so far and that many people got injured. Tuncel reported that BDP executive Cesim Soylu had been dragged into the rest room of a café by the police where he was beaten. (ŞA/NV/VK)"

Police Terror in Istanbul