The openMovements series invites leading social scientists to share their research results and perspectives on contemporary social struggles.
Turkish citizens wave national flag in protest against military coup outside Turkey's parliament near the Turkish military headquarters in Ankara, July 16, 2016. Hussein Malla / Press Association. All rights reserved.Footage of the evacuation of soldiers who occupied CNN Turk’s studios is a perfect illustration of the hyperreal atmosphere that marked the 5th coup attempt in the history of the Turkish Republic (four of which were successful).
In the early hours of July 16, a handful of soldiers had stopped CNN Turk from broadcasting. Civilian crowds gathered outside the studios to protest. When the soldiers finally surrendered, police officers loyal to the AKP government were overwhelmed, unable to control the mob and protect the soldiers from being lynched. This shows how the fine lines between perpetrator and victim, state authority and mob power were effaced that night. Who was the aggressor and who the victim? Who was protecting whom? From whom?
