A revolution doesn't happen overnight

If people think that a revolution happens overnight, then they’re wrong. It festers, comes to a tipping point, plateaus and then hopefully something positive happens.

The best example would be Turkey, where just over two weeks ago, huge and deadly protests happened all over the country.

It all started in Gezi Park and Taksim Square in Istanbul. And so, being the cat that has yet to be killed by curiosity, I just had to pay the place a visit.

And so here I am today typing out this article in a hotel room overlooking, where else if not, Taksim Square and Gezi Park.

The occupation of the square and park has now ended, thanks to the brutal police force used in dispersing the thousands who were there.

But this does not mean that the struggle and resistance in Istanbul has ceased. Instead, it is stronger than ever with everything going to the grassroots.

What the Turks decided to do seeing that occupation, chanting, marching and singing got them beaten up and arrested, was to just stand still.

Every afternoon right up till midnight, people would gather at Taksim Square and just stand in silent protest facing a huge portrait of the father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

At first the police detained these standing protesters, but after the courts ordered the release of these people since they weren't technically doing anything, they stopped.

Others are slightly braver. They organise gatherings, or as they call it, forums, in neighbourhood parks all around Istanbul at night.

During these forums, there are music performances, speeches, and most importantly, public discourse on what they want to see change in their current government.

The attendees (and an average night would see hundreds show up) would write out questions and comments and it would all be read out and discussed.

And to attract the least amount of attention from the police, they would use hand signals similar to the ones used during the Spanish Revolution.

There were different hand signals that would represent applause, boos, agreement and disagreement. And everything would take place as silent as possible.

It was as if I was in a middle of a secret underground revolution. Except that it was being done in public parks, attended by anyone who wanted to come, and whose demands are made public.

I asked the organiser of one such forum, Necmi Saglar, whether he thought the government would actually listen to their demands.

He's answer is simple. Even if they didn't want to listen, they are actually forced to because the people are not going to stop their struggle and resistance.

All they're doing is to end any confrontation that could provoke violence and are thinking of creative and peaceful ways to voice their expression.

And that, to me, is inspiring and is grassroots democracy working in wonderful ways. And I believe, eventually, the will of the people will always prevail.