Chapulling
In a speech, Prime Minister Erdoğan referred to the protesters as "a few çapulcus" (marauders) in an attempt to frame the protest in a negative light. However, the protesters embraced the label and began to describe themselves as çapulcus. The term, leaving behind its unpleasant connotation, turned into a badge of honor for the participants, symbolizing their sense of belonging to the protest and the political aspect of the resistance.
Links
All images
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Noam Chomsky salutes the Gezi Park resistance The still is from a video titled "Noam Chomsky salutes the Gezi Park resistance" in Turkish and English. It shows famous linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky in front of a sign stating "I am also a 'Çapulcu' in solidarity". -
Couple with gas masks The photo shows a couple with gas masks walking on a street from Beşiktaş to Taksim. -
Four football fans The people in the photo are wearing fan apparel of the four biggest football clubs in Turkey, which are normally known for their fierce rivalry. This was a common sight at Gezi, supporters of different teams appearing together to display the fraternal "spirit of Gezi". -
Protesters making victory sign The photo shows two protesters in front of a bigger group. They are wearing gas masks and making the victory sign with both hands. -
Çapularak çoğalıyoruz! The graffiti makes fun of Erdoğan's calling the protesters marauders and claims this name as a positive quality that encourages people to join the protests. -
Everyday I’m chapulin The graffiti references the lyrics "Every day I'm shufflin'" from the popular song "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO. It connects the lyrics with the image of a "chapuller" with a gas mask.