[1] The formation of Oyan, Qazaqstan was announced 5 June 2019, triggered by the arrest, trial and conviction of activists Beybarys Tolymbekov and Asya Tulesova.

[2] The group's name is based on a poetry book written by Mirjaqip Dulatuli (Mir Yakub Dulatov) in 1909 that was immediately confiscated by the Tsarist authorities, "a celebrated verse of defiance".

[3] The hashtag "#IWokeUp" video (Kazakh: #MenOyandym) meme campaign involving actor and activist Anuar Nurpeisov, released the previous week,[4] was a factor in the creation of OQ.

[2] OQ published a nine-point list of its specific aims, including "an end to political repression, reforming the distribution of power between the branches of government, free elections in line with international standards, and a system of self-governance at the local level".

On 30 August 2019, Kazakhstan's Constitution Day, OQ staged rallies in several cities around the country.