The Nor Zartonk (New Awakening) movement of Istanbul Armenians is taking part in the resistance that had started to preserve the city’s Gezi Park. 

During the respective demonstrations, the movement’s supporters are holding banners that read: “Surp Hagop [Saint Jacob] Armenian Cemetery: 1551-1939. You captured our graveyard, but you can’t capture our park!” and “Equality, Brotherhood, Peace, Freedom. Nor Zartonk.”

To note, there was an Armenian cemetery, from 1551 to 1939, in the area of Gezi Park nearby Istanbul’s Taksim Square. Subsequently, the Divan Hotel and the aforesaid park were constructed where the cemetery once stood.