There’s a new form of protest going on in Turkey following two weeks of anti-government demonstrations.
Started by one man, it has now grown to hundreds of people standing motionless for hours in streets and squares.
The image was stark. A silent, solitary figure standing in passive defiance to the Turkish prime minister’s demand for protesters to clear Taksim Square in central Istanbul.
The challenge by performance artist Erdem Gunduz is catching on with other protesters in Turkey, encouraged by social media into imitating his gesture across the country.
Here’s a look at the ‘standing man’ protests in Turkey:
In this photo, a man emulates Turkish choreographer Erdem Gunduz by standing on Taksim square for a lone protest June 18, 2013. Gunduz had stood for several hours unnoticed before his presence on the flashpoint square went viral on the social network Twitter. (Getty Images)
A man stands on the flashpoint Taksim square as he turns his face to the Gezi park in Istanbul on June 18, 2013 during a wave of new alternative protests. (Getty Images)
Anti-government demonstrations erupted across Turkey after May 31, when riot police brutally cracked down on peaceful environmental activists who opposed plans to remove trees and develop Gezi Park, which lies next to Istanbul’s famed Taksim Square.
The protesters have expressed discontent with what they say is the gradual erosion of freedoms and secular values during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 10 years in office.
People stand on the flashpoint Taksim square in Istanbul on June 18, 2013 during a wave of new alternative protests. In Istanbul, dozens of demonstrators switched to silent protests, standing still in quiet defiance in the main Taksim Square located next to Gezi Park. (Getty Images)
People stand on the flashpoint Taksim square in Istanbul on June 18, 2013 during a wave of new alternative protests. (Getty Images)
Anti-goverment protestors stand on Taksim square after Turkish choreographer Erdem Gunduz’ (not in picture) lone protest on June 18, 2013 in Istanbul. Gunduz stood for several hours unnoticed before his presence on the flashpoint square went viral on the social network Twitter. (Getty Images)
A young woman stands in a silent protest at Taksim Square in, Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. (Getty Images)
People stand on the flashpoint Taksim square in Istanbul on June 18, 2013 during a wave of new alternative protests. (Getty Images)
Anti-goverment protestors stands on Taksim square after Turkish choreographer Erdem Gunduz’ (not in picture) lone protest on June 18, 2013 in Istanbul. (Getty Images)
A man stands stand on the flashpoint Taksim square in Istanbul on June 18, 2013 during a wave of new alternative protests. (Getty Images)
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