Turkey: Clashes in Taksim Square mark 9th anniversary of Erdogan uprising

Tension prevailed in Istanbul’s Taksim Square as its citizens Turkey took to the streets for the 9th anniversary of the uprising against Recep Tayyip Erdogan from Gezi Park.

According to Reuters, approx 1,000 people gathered on a street near Taksim Square this afternoon, holding photos of those sentenced to prison. They also held photos of those who died when police intervened in 2013, as well as a banner reading “Darkness will go away, Gezi will stay.”

The crowds were stopped by police carrying shields when they attempted to walk towards Taksim Square and the central Istiklar Avenue. Law enforcement also used tear gas to disperse the crowds.

“Erdogan will leave. “There is no other way,” the protesters shouted. Earlier, smaller groups of people clashed with police in other areas near Taksim as they tried to walk towards the square.

An eyewitness to Reuters saw police arrest dozens of people. Istanbul police did not immediately comment on the number of detainees. Earlier in the day, members of the Turkish Workers’ Party (TIP) parliament hung a giant banner on one of the bridges in the Bosphorus.

Following a clash, the police lowered the banner that read “everywhere Taksim, everywhere resistance” – a popular slogan at 2013 demonstrations. Western Ankara Allies, Rights Defense Organizations and the Human Rights Court of Human Rights. Last month, the prisons were politically motivated and aimed at intimidating Erdogan’s opponents.

It is noted that demonstrations 2013 was the biggest popular challenge to the rule of then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan, who is now president, has equated protesters with Kurdish fighters and those accused of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.


Source: News Beast

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