Photo Essay: Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
On April 7th, 2010, Kyrgyzstan experienced its second revolution in five years. Incensed by rising utility prices, further suppression of the media and growing frustration over government corruption, thousands of Kyrgyz citizens from the provincial regions outside of Bishkek began to pour into the captial city that morning. What started out as a small group of protesters, much like the earlier demonstrations in February and March, quickly grew into pandemonium as hundreds and then thousands of citizens marched into Alatoo Square demanding change. Like the Osh riots that followed nearly two months later in southern Kyrgyzstan, the April 7th Revolution, also dubbed the Revolution of the Youth, was marred by bloodshed and death. Media reports of the death total vary from 86-100. The following pictures are from a collection of photos my student and I had taken during the protests. The images intend to capture the emotion of the people during the riotous evening and the aftermath of that bloody Wednesday that led to the ouster of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Alva Robinson is a current Master of Arts student in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization at UW. He witnessed the Revolution of the Youth while in Kyrgyzstan studying pop culture on a Fulbright grant.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A Kyrgyz youth at the gate outside of the presidential office building in Bishkek.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A Kyrgyz woman next to a truck driven into the gate of the presidential office building.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A truck that plowed into the gate of the presidential office building.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A burned-out car, evidence of some of the destruction wrought during the protests in Bishkek.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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More evidence of damage that occurred during the protests.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Citizens in Bishkek gathering for a vantage over the crowd.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A view of the sizable crowd that gathered in Bishkek to demonstrate against Kyrgyzstan's government corruption, rising energy prices and stagnant economy.
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Revolution of the Youth in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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A Kyrgyz youth amidst Bishkek residents gathered outside of the president's office.
