Actors take protest on the road for Republic

"We are seeing that our secular Republic is under threat today," said the players in a joint press statement that criticized the government. Although the group in their joint statement did not mention the name of the ongoing investigation into the alleged Ergenekon gang that is accused of aiming to topple the government, they implicitly protested the arrest of prominent names and also the alleged unlawful practices.

Prominent theater veterans Gülriz Sururi, Göksel Kortay, Haldun Dormen, Ali Poyrazoğlu and comedian Levent Kırca were among the crowd, along with young artists like Ceyda Düvenci, Dolunay Soysert and Sinan Tuzcu. Musician Fazıl Say, known for his critical look at the government, was also among the crowd.

"They try to eliminate education, which would create an enlightened Turkey. Do not just be an onlooker to the polarization of society, the efforts to darken the light of science, the politicization of the judiciary, and the external efforts to make our country remain backward," the joint statement said.

The crowd walked to Taksim Square with the Semaver Kumpanya theater group’s rhythm group, carrying a banners that said "Freedom of Thought," "Not subjects, citizens!" "Respect to human honor" and "Secular Republic is under threat." The group then stood silent in front of the monument of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, at Taksim Square for Professor Türkan Saylan, who died Monday.

Saylan was the head of the Support for Contemporary Living Association, or ÇYDD, and her house was raided as part of the Ergenekon case. Saylan was a cancer patient. The group then walked to the Atatürk Culture Center. "Maybe the injustices against Saylan triggered a gathering like that," said Genco Erkal, adding that she became a symbol of all unfair practices under the Ergenekon case.

’United for sake of country’

Some criticize theater players for not taking action about political issues or for their professional rights. Many participants in the gathering touched on this issue. "Theater players do not take action easily, but when they do, they do it all," said director Yılmaz Onay. "This is the first time that all theater players who have very different views came together for the interest of the country," said Nedim Saban. "It means it is the time to take action."But there were also other artists who said they would not participate in such a gathering. Talking to daily Taraf, actress Lale Mansur said the walk would strengthen divisions within society. Deniz Türkali also said protesters should not support one source of power while protesting another one.

As yesterday’s protesters were popular names it was arguably the most gripping protest that Istiklal Street has ever seen.