What started out as a small, and peaceful sit-in protest against the demolition of the Gezi park in Istanbul has erupted into what some people are calling "anti-Government riots", and an "anarchist movement" in several cities in Turkey. The trouble started when police began using teargas and high pressure water canons to break up protests and disperse protesters. The action taken by police has been considered violent and unnecessary by many people around the world. After use of these weapons against protesters, the situation quickly escalated into an all out riot, and many people began pouring out of buildings and offices to show support to the protesters, and disapproval of the action taken by police.
What had begun as a demonstration by hundreds, became a riot of thousands. The images and videos coming out of Turkey are often disturbing in nature, and show what most in America would call "police brutality". The point of the protest has changed focus, and is no longer about the park, so much as it is about current leadership in Turkey. The protesters are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While the Prime Minister has admitted that the police made "mistakes" while dealing with the protesters, he has called for an end of the Istanbul protests. He has also referred to the protesters as "extremists", a term that many believe better suits him and his regime.
Prime Minister Erdogan has stated that the construction plans at the park will continue as planned, despite mass disapproval. This may be more about showing power and authority over his people, than the demolition of the park.
It has been stated by the Interior Ministry that a total of 939 people have been arrested. There are also reports that state that there have been well over a hundred injuries, and at least a few deaths. Though these numbers are difficult to confirm, due to the fact that the situation is still developing.
In an attempt to reduce tension, police and riot vehicles were withdrawn from Istanbul's Taksim Square, near the Gezi Park on Saturday afternoon, thousands of people packed the square to demonstrate.
Oral Goktas, a protester, told Reuters the protest had become one "against the government, against Erdogan taking decisions like a king".
Koray Caliskan, also a protester, told the BBC that people felt "victorious".
"This is the first time in Turkey's political history that a million people moved into Taksim Square to claim their public park,".
Despite this small victory, the unrest has not diminished, and reporters have stated that there seems to be a growing agitation amongst the predominantly young protesters, which is elevated substantially as night falls over Istanbul and the rest of Turkey. Violent clashes with police continue.
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