#ResistComics: scenes from the Gezi Resistance

The Gezi Resistance was the most popular mass protest in the history of modern Turkey. It was a rupture in the often fatalistic mindset of the public that was used to shrugging off the endless parade of conservative, corrupt and power-hungry governments, ever-present military coups, war, a systematic destruction of the environment. A mass scale collective depression and inertia was shaken off in an unprecedented resolve to struggle against injustice. It has been said countless times, but let's say it again: the whole process was driven by humour, creativity and art. The government and police forces could not tolerate the manner in which the repressed (and the oppressed) returned unstoppably – through laughter, subversion and defiance. It wasn't the first time this generation made fun of political power, but they had never done this in such a public way, by getting involved in the right to city movement, by daring to reclaim our streets, our parks, our spaces.

ResistComics was born in the first days of the resistance. Around 30 writers, academics, artists from Turkey, Europe and Australia came together to create an anthology of comics, illustrations and writing inspired by the defiance of protesters in Turkey.