--- description: Photographer Guy Martin writes for LightBox about his experiences on the periphery of the weekend's tumultuous protests in Istanbul's Gezi Park. title: Turmoil in Istanbul: Guy Martin at Turkey’s Gezi Park Protests image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5a3588f4caad89ef/6987a5ba524fc02fbbdef187/001.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [LightBox](/tag/time-section-lightbox/) ## LightBox Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Turmoil in Istanbul: Guy Martin at Turkey's Gezi Park Protests by [Guy Martin](/author/guy-martin/) ## Guy Martin Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 3, 2013 10:28 PM CUT  Young women watch rounds of tear gas canisters as they travel in their direction. Young women watch rounds of tear gas canisters as they travel in their direction.Guy Martin—Panos by [Guy Martin](/author/guy-martin/) ## Guy Martin Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 3, 2013 10:28 PM CUT Two years ago, after being wounded in Libya, I made a promise to myself, my family, friends and loved ones to never cover war, civil unrest, protests or even a particularly robust political debate ever again. After witnessing the unfolding of the Arab revolutions in Egypt and Libya, my desire to witness and photograph violent events had never been lower. In short, I had turned my back on anybody and anything that I thought would cause me harm. However, I do live in Istanbul — a huge, bustling Turkish metropolis that is currently at the center of mix of foreign policy dilemmas, political strife and internal debates. And this weekend, I’ve witnessed a burgeoning protest movement against the construction of another mall and shopping precinct on one of the few slivers of green space in a city that is increasingly urbanized. Corruption seems to be endemic, and any spare green area is quickly developed without any public consultation. I wanted to join the protestors to see for myself what was happening 25 minutes from where I live. As I stepped on the metro, I was hit with a knot in my stomach — that swirling, vomit-inducing feeling that only happens when you are utterly petrified. Istanbul’s locals aren’t known for being particularly outgoing, chatty or forthcoming on public transit, and Saturday was no different. It seemed just like any other normal day. But then the train came to a stop, and every carriage erupted with loud clapping and banging on any object that came into view. It continued as the people made their way up the escalators into the burning mid-day heat. For the next two days I followed them from the peripheries. Tear gas was fired, barricades were constructed, fires burned and stones thrown. Angry anarchists confronted police in Gezi Park — where I saw mothers bring their young children to witness a momentous event happening in their city. These pictures were made with no assignment in hand and no particular desire to even make a coherent body of work. My purpose was to just witness and to observe with a sharper eye from experience. --- [**_Guy Martin_**](http://guy-martin.co.uk/ "undefined") _is an English documentary photographer living in Istanbul. Represented by Panos Pictures, Martin previously covered the Caucuses, Georgia and Russia as well as the uprisings in Egypt and Libya._ ---  Young women watch rounds of tear gas canisters as they travel in their direction. Guy Martin—Panos  A tear gas round lands in the construction site of the proposed mall, mosque and shopping complex in the Gezi Park area of Istanbul. Guy Martin—Panos  A man takes tea at a hotel balcony that overlooks Gezi park and the Bosphorus sea. The smoke below is from the fires lit by anti-government protesters in the Besiktas neighborhood of Istanbul. Guy Martin—Panos  A women watches riot police clash with anti-government protesters early on Sunday morning from behind the razor wire of a military base in Besiktas. Guy Martin—Panos  As the police pulled back from the Gezi park area, thousands and thousands of people streamed into the park to join the anti-government protesters. Guy Martin—Panos  A tear gas round lands in the construction site of the propsed mall, mosque and shopping complex in the Gezi Park area of Istanbul as thousands of protesters attempt to get to the area. Guy Martin—Panos  A young protester recovers from the effects of tear gas fired by Istanbul police in the middle class district of Sisli. Guy Martin—Panos  A hotel security guard watches as riot police and anti-government protesters clash below him. Guy Martin—Panos  A protester wears the clothing of Istanbul's riot police as he watches the chaotic scenes around Gezi park. Guy Martin—Panos  An anti-government protester attempts to build a barricade to stop the riot police from advancing in the Besiktas area of Istanbul. At this stage, the protesters were a mix of anarchists, football fans and bystanders. Guy Martin—Panos  A young couple embraces at the entrance to Gezi Park after riot police fired a volley of tear gas. Guy Martin—Panos  A couple walks amongst the rubble of the Gezi Park construction area after anti-government protesters drove back riot police. Guy Martin—Panos  A young protester recovers from the effects of being exposed to tear gas fired by Istanbul police in Besiktas area of Istanbul. The young man struggled to remain conscious after inhaling a particularity strong strain of riot control gas that the police used late into the evening on Saturday. 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