Turkish riot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a
protest against the destruction of trees
in a park brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul (Constantinople) May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Osman Orsal)
in a park brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul (Constantinople) May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Osman Orsal)
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12 people have been seriously injured and hundreds suffered
respiratory problems after police attacked protesters with tear gas and
water cannon in an attempt to break up an Occupy Gezi Park rally in
central Istanbul (Constantinople).
Six of the injured are suffering from serious head trauma. A 34-year old Egyptian tourist is undergoing an operation after suffering a brain hemorrhage, Huseyin Demirduzen, from the Istanbul Medical Chamber board, told Reuters. While a member of the opposition Peace and Democratic Party is in intensive care in a serious condition.
Hundreds more suffered respiratory problems due to the effects of tear gas, Demirduzen said. Several people were injured after a wall they were trying to climb in an attempt to get away from clouds of tear gas collapsed underneath them.
The clashes erupted after police carried out a dawn raid against protesters Friday, the second in as many days. Demonstrators are angry at government plans to cut down trees in Gezi Park, next to Taksim Square, to make way for a replica Ottoman army barracks and a shopping mall. They say it is the last green space of any size in the center of Istanbul (Constantinople).
A
Turkish riot policeman uses tear gas as a demonstrator holds a banner
which reads that, "Chemical Tayyip", referring to Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan, during a protest against the destruction of trees in a park
brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central
Istanbul May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Murad Sezer)
In the first raid against crowds on Thursday, police used a Mass Incident Intervention Vehicle (TOMA) to disperse them before seizing and burning some of their tents, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.
The Peace and Democracy Party described the police intervention as “state terror” in an e-mailed statement. Amnesty International also said it was concerned with “the use of excessive force” by police after what started as a peaceful protest.
The protest at Gezi Park started on Monday after developers tore up trees but has now become a broader demonstration against Prime Minster Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP).
“This isn’t about trees anymore; it’s about all of the pressure we’re under from this government. We’re fed up; we don’t like the direction the country is headed in,” Mert Burge, an 18 year-old student, who came to support the protesters after he heard about the use of tear gas via twitter, told Reuters.
Turkish
riot police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest
against the destruction of trees in a park brought about by a
pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul May 31, 2013.
(Reuters / Murad Sezer)
Erdogan has said he wants to introduce an Ottoman cultural revival. As well as a more assertive foreign policy, more conservative policies are also being gradually introduced at home. He is also authorizing a slew of multi-billion dollar projects aimed at reflecting Turkey’s reemergence as a major power including a third airport in Istanbul (Constantinople), which will be one the world’s biggest and a shipping canal as big as the Suez or Panama canals.
Tayyip Erdogan defended the decision concerning the Gezi Park, saying “Whatever you do, we’ve made our decision and we will implement it, we will revive history there.” Although the government has denied that the mall is part of the plan, insisting it needs the space to widen a nearby road and ease traffic congestion, according to RTE News.
While the Istanbul (Constantinople) deputy of Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) Sirin Unal tweeted his support of the police’s heavy-handed response.
“Obviously there are some people in need of gas. If you leave there [Taksim Square] I hope you will have a good day, the system needs to be obeyed,” he wrote.
On May Day police clashed with tens of thousands of demonstrators in Istanbul and there have been several smaller protests against a tightening of alcohol sales and displays of public affection as well the government’s stance on the neighboring Syria conflict.
A
demonstrator covers her face as riot police use tear gas to disperse
the crowd during a protest against the destruction of trees in a park
brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central
Istanbul May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Murad Sezer)
Turkish
riot police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest
against the destruction of trees in a park brought about by a
pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul May 31, 2013.
(Reuters / Osman Orsal)
http://rt.com/news/turkey-clashes-istanbul-park-067/
31/5/13
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TürkeiEine Ahnung von Tahrir in Istanbul/Constantinople
ReplyDeletePremier Erdoğan lässt Proteste gegen Baumfällungen niederknüppeln. Er agiert mehr und mehr wie ein Despot, die Türken begehren auf. ....http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2013-05/istanbul-protest-erdogan-taksim-gezi
31/5/13
State Department: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens.....
ReplyDeleteDemonstrations in Istanbul – May 31, 2013
U.S. Consulate Istanbul informs U.S. citizens that that there are ongoing protests in Taksim Square, Gezi Park, and surrounding areas. The U.S. Consulate has received reports indicating the use of tear gas and fire hoses by authorities. The Turkish National Police and the protestors continue to clash and the security environment has deteriorated.
U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey should be alert to the potential for violence, avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any demonstrations.
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and nationals traveling to or residing in Turkey enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens and nationals without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling signs you up to receive updated information about areas abroad and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to communicate with you or your designated contact in case of emergency.
Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Google play market to have travel information at your fingertips.
Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916.
The Consular Agency in Izmir can be reached at tel: (90) (232) 464-8755, fax (90) (232) 464-
Read more: http://mignatiou.com/?p=4778#ixzz2Uw7zR1J9
31/5/13
Turkey protests: Unrest rages in Istanbul and Ankara ....
ReplyDeleteTurkey is entering a second day of protests after clashes between police and demonstrators left dozens of people injured in Istanbul on Friday.
The protest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Taksim Square, but escalated and became violent after police used tear gas.
Tear gas was again fired on Saturday morning as hundreds of protesters marched over a Bosphorus bridge.
In the capital, Ankara, protesters tried to march on the parliament.
Transport lockdown
Hundreds of protesters marched over the bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of Istanbul on Saturday morning to try to reach the main square.......http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22739423
1/6/13
Fresh anti-government clashes hit Turkey....
ReplyDeletePolice fire tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators trying to march to Istanbul square during second day of unrest.....
Police in Istanbul have fired tear gas and water cannons against anti-government protesters trying to reach a main square during a second day of demonstrations.
Protestors chanted "unite against fascism" and "government resign" as they tried to reach Taksim Square, which has long been a venue for political unrest.
There were also clashes with police in the Besiktas neighbourhood, on the shores of the Bosphorus. At least a thousand people had earlier marched across the Bosphorus Bridge from the Asian side to support anti-government protests.
Saturday's violence came a day after scores of people were injured in clashes in central Istanbul, with 60 people detained around Taksim.
Broken glass and rocks were strewn across a main shopping street near the square..........http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/06/20136162539347599.html
1/6/13
US concerned over number of injured Istanbul sit-in, spokesperson said....
ReplyDeleteUS State Department spokesperson voiced US concern over the number of people who were injured in dispersing Istanbul sit-in....
Washington
Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Jen Psaki stated Friday that the US were concerned about the number of people who were injured when police dispersed protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park.
"Well, we are concerned about the number of people who were injured when police dispersed protesters in Istanbul's Gezi Park. We believe that Turkey's long-term stability, security and prosperity is best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association, which is what it seems these individuals were doing," Psaki said in a daily press briefing.
"It's hard for me to offer that given we're still gathering details of what's happening on the ground. We certainly support universally peaceful protest, as we would in this case," Psaki said
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/188674--us-concerned-over-number-of-injured-istanbul-sit-in-spokesperson-said
1/6/13
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