The protests in Turkey

I have been watching the events in Turkey as they get worse and worse.  What started out as a peaceful protest about plans to destroy an iconic park, Taksim Gezi Park, and create a shopping mall has grown into a protest about an authoritarian government that preaches free speech to its neighbours but does not practice it at home.  Posts on Facebook from the initial protests on 30th May say that a Greenpeace activist from the Turkish office was hurt in the initial skirmishes when police raids that ended with activists tents being set on fire.  The Greenpeace office in Turkey is actually in the heart of the Taksim area.  Tear gas has been aimed at the entrance and on to the roof of the building and water canon are being used.  Greenpeace is and always will be non violent and the activists there are offering aid and medical assistance to injured protestors.  Access to the Greenpeace office is being denied by the police and the air is thick with tear gas yet still Greenpeace offers peace and respite to injured and exhausted protestors.  Doctors have joined our colleagues to treat the injuries.  Our Turkish activists are regularly updating their Facebook and Twitter accounts and other businesses are offering free wifi as the Turkish government tries to keep a hold on what goes out in the media.  This is embracing the Greenpeace core values of peace and individual action, despite the huge risks our friends are taking.  I salute them for their courage and hope they stay safe.