What began as a protest about the urbanization of Gezi Park in Taksim Square, Istanbul, has fueled a barrage of anti-government protests across Turkey.
Though the Gezi Park protest began as a peaceful sit-in demonstration, officers angered much of Turkey when they aimed tear gas and water cannons at the predominantly serene demonstrators. Approximately 36 hours of vicious clashes followed and ended when police withdrew from the square on Saturday.
Peaceful protesters have repopulated Taksim Square and waved flags on Sunday, according to the BBC. Isolated clashes continue, but the protest atmosphere in Istanbul is largely calm.
Clashes between protesters and police rage on in other areas of Turkey: more than 900 people have been detained in 30 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, according to CNN.
Officers reportedly fired tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators in Kizilay Square in Ankara, the capital.
The Gezi Park protest and the violent clashes that ensued have driven citizens in other areas to demonstrate their frustration with the current Turkish government. The BBC’s James Reynolds reports that people believe the government wants to take away some of their freedoms.
“This reaction is no longer about the ripping out 12 trees,” Erdogan said, referring to the plan to urbanize the park. “This is based on ideology.”
Erdogan belongs to the Islamist, conservative Justice and Development Party. His plans to replace the park with a mosque, a replica of Ottoman barracks, and potentially a shopping mall, has angered more liberal and secular citizens.
Images: Reuters World Twitter, WikiCommons