The voice of the Turkish opposition may be about to be heard in America's newspaper of record, thanks to enthusiastic participation in a crowd-funding campaign. Raya Jalabi of the Guardian US reports:
A crowd-funding campaign has raised over $55,000 in under 24 hours to help pay for a full-page ad in the New York Times calling for democratic action and new dialogue on Turkey.
The Indiegogo campaign – "Full Page Ad for Turkish Democracy in Action: OccupyGezi for the World" – called on contributors to raise a stated goal of $53,800, and asks people to "wake up". The campaign has 1,344 backers so far.
"We want the world to hear from Turks themselves about what's happening in Turkey," reads a campaign mission statement. "We want the world to support us as we push for true democracy in our country."
The campaign is steered by three individuals – Murat Aktihanoglu, Oltac Unsal and Duygu Atacan – who claim to represent the "Turkish People" with "no organizations, parties or affiliations".
Campaigners are asked for help in drafting a full statement to be printed in the ad. Over 150 commenters have contributed so far. The first draft of the ad begins:
The violent response to a peaceful protest to save Istanbul's Gezi Park symbolizes an autocratic government's increasing encroachment on the civil rights of the country's citizens. We hope for new dialogue—one that can restore the trust of Turkish citizens in a government that positioned Turkey as a global economic power, but which is now getting recognition around the world for condoning harsh police retaliation that strikes at the pillars of democracy.
