Police officers in Istanbul, Turkey, fought protesters on Saturday with water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets after thousands renew the demonstrations in Taksim Square.
Protesters chanted for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to step down as riot police moved in on the crowds of protesters, reports AFP.
Thousands of protesters peacefully gathered anew in Taksim Square today, a week after Erdogan evicted the protesters from Gezi Park and the square.
The square was almost emptied after the police intervened, according to Hurriyet Daily News. Thirty nine demonstrators were injured and required medical attention, ten of whom were wounded with rubber bullets.
Erdogan has continued to blame the protest’s on his party’s opposition, reports Reuters.
Erdogan spoke to approximately 15,000 supports in Samsun and claimed that Turkey’s recent unrest plays into the hands of the country’s enemies.
"The people and the AKP (ruling Justice and Development Party) government have foiled the plot…hatched by traitors and their foreign accomplices," Erdogan said on Tuesday.
"From now on, there will be no question of showing any tolerance to people or organizations who engage in violent acts."