 |
| A Turksih female protest in red |
By Alexandra Hudson (Huffington Post)
ISTANBUL, June 3 (Reuters) -
In her red cotton summer dress, necklace and white bag slung over her
shoulder she might have been floating across the lawn at a garden
party; but before her crouches a masked policeman firing teargas spray
that sends her long hair billowing upwards.
Endlessly
shared on social media and replicated as a cartoon on posters and
stickers, the image of the woman in red has become the leitmotif for
female protesters during days of violent anti-government demonstrations
in Istanbul.
"That photo encapsulates the
essence of this protest," says maths student Esra at Besiktas, near the
Bosphorus strait and one of the centres of this week's protests. "The
violence of the police against peaceful protesters, people just trying
to protect themselves and what they value."
 |
| Woman In red, attacked by the military |
In one graphic copy plastered on walls the woman appears much bigger
than the policeman. "The more you spray the bigger we get", reads the
slogan next to it.
The United States and the
European Union as well as human rights groups have expressed concern
about the heavy-handed action of Turkish police against protesters.
Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan branded the protesters on Monday extremists
"living arm in arm with terrorism", a description that seems to sit ill
with the image of the woman in red.
There were
others dressed in more combative gear and sporting face masks as they
threw stones, but the large number of very young women in Besiktas and
on Taksim Square where the protests began on Friday evening is notable.
With
swimming goggles and flimsy surgical masks against the teargas, light
tasselled scarves hanging around their necks, Esra, Hasine and Secil
stand apprehensively in the Besiktas district on Monday evening, joined
by ever growing numbers of youngsters as dusk falls and the mood grows
more sombre.
They belong, as perhaps does the
woman in red, to the ranks of young, articulate women who believe they
have something to lose in Erdogan's Turkey. They feel threatened by his
promotion of the Islamic headscarf, symbol of female piety.
CAREERS FOR WOMEN
Many
of the women point to new abortion laws as a sign that Erdogan, who
has advised Turkish women to each have three children, wants to roll
back women's rights and push them into traditional, pious roles.
"I
respect women who wear the headscarf, that is their right, but also
want my rights to be protected," says Esra. "I'm not a leftist or an
anti-capitalist. I want to be a business woman and live in a free
Turkey."
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the
secular republic formed in 1923 from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire,
encouraged women to wear Western clothes rather than headscarves and
promoted the image of the professional woman. Ironically, Erdogan is
seen these days as, for better or worse, the most dominant Turkish
leader since Ataturk.
Erdogan was first swept to
power in 2002 and remains unrivalled in popularity, drawing on strong
support in the conservative Anatolian heartland.
The
weekend demonstrations in dozens of cities suggest however his
popularity may be dwindling, at least among middle classes who swung
behind him in the early years of political and economic reform that cut
back the power of the army and introduced some rights amendments.
"Erdogan
says 50 percent of the people voted for him. I'm here to show I belong
to the other 50 percent, the half of the population whose feelings he
showed no respect for, the ones he is trying to crush," says chemistry
student Hasine.
"I want to have a future here in
Turkey, a career, a freedom to live my life. But all these are under
threat. I want Erdogan to understand," she adds.
Erdogan,
a pious man who denies Islamist ambitions for Turkey, rejects any
suggestion he wants to cajole anyone into religious observance. He says
new alcohol laws, also denounced by the women, have been passed to
protect health rather than on religious grounds.
Protesters
are coming better prepared now than when the unrest first began. Some
have hard-hats, some are dressed all in black, most wear running shoes.
But many are dressed as femininely as the girl in the red dress
snapped on Taksim Square.
"Of course I'm nervous
and I know I could be in danger here. But for me that is nothing
compared to the danger of losing the Turkish Republic, its freedoms and
spirit," said 23 year-old economics student Busra, who says her
parents support her protest. (Editing by Ralph Boulton and Andrew
Heavens)
 |
| A protestor waves the Turkish flag from a roof top at Taksim square on
June 3, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The protests began initially over the
fate of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last significant green spaces in
the center of the city. The heavy-handed viewed response of the police,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government's increasingly
authoritarian agenda has broadened the rage of the clashes. (Photo by
Uriel Sinai/Getty Images |
 |
| A protestor looks on during clashes with Turkish police near Turkish
prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas,
early morning on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Uriel
Sinai/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors during clashes with Turkish police near Turkish prime
minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas, early
morning on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Uriel
Sinai/Getty Images) |
 |
| Demonstrators stand at a wall with graffiti between Taksim and Besiktas
in Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the
demolition of the park. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A couple wearing gas masks walk at a street between Taksim and Besiktas
in Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the
demolition of the park. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A demonstrator takes cover at a road block between Taksim and Besiktas
in Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the
demolition of the park. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Demonstrators hold a Turkish flag with a portrait of Kemal Ataturk at a
road block between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 4, 2013
during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (ARIS
MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration in Ankara on June 4, 2013. (ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A Turkish demonstrator raises his hands during a protest held in front
of the Prime Minister's office in central Ankara on June 4, 2013. (MARCO
LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Two Turkish woman, one accusing the police and other defending them,
argue in front of riot police positioned at the main Kizilay Square near
the office of Turkish Prime Minister Recep, Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara,
Turkey, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) |
 |
| Turkish women affected by tear gas walk in the main city center Kizilay
Square near the office of Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Protests, the biggest Turkey
has seen in recent years, were sparked by a police crackdown of a
peaceful sit-in to prevent the demolition of a park in Istanbul. (AP
Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) |
 |
| A Protestor wears a gas mask after a car was burned at Taksim square on
June 3, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The protests began initially over the
fate of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last significant green spaces in
the center of the city. The heavy-handed viewed response of the police,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government's increasingly
authoritarian agenda has broadened the rage of the clashes. (Photo by
Uriel Sinai/Getty Images |
 |
| A pedestrian walks in front of a banner featuring an owl with a gas mask
at Taksim square in Istanbul, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Kostas
Tsironis) |
 |
| A protester holds a Turkish flag decorated with the image of Turkey's
founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during clashes near Taksim Square in
Istanbul, late Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis) |
 |
| Protestors clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in
Istanbul, on June 1, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition
of the park. (GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Turkish protesters shout anti-government slogans on the main city
square, Kizilay, in the Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013 during a
demonstration. (ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Riot police clear burning debris on the main city square, Kizilay, in
the Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013 during an anti-government
demonstration . Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday
rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring', shrugging off mass protests against
his government as medics reported the first death in days of violence.
Rallies started there last week initially in protest at plans to
redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a rare green spot in central Istanbul,
and quickly spread, |
 |
| Turkish protesters holding a Turkish flag demonstrate on the main city
square, Kizilay, in the Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013. Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected talk of a
'Turkish Spring', shrugging off mass protests against his government as
medics reported the first death in days of violence. Rallies started
there last week initially in protest at plans to redevelop the adjacent
Gezi Park, a rare green spot in central Istanbul, and quickly spread,
inflamed by anger at |
 |
| A Turkish protester is apprehended by police in the main city square,
Kizilay, in the Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected talk of a 'Turkish
Spring', shrugging off mass protests against his government as medics
reported the first death in days of violence. Rallies started there last
week initially in protest at plans to redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park,
a rare green spot in central Istanbul, and quickly spread, inflamed by
anger at the police crackdown. |
 |
| Turkish protesters shelter from tear gas behind a Turkish flag during
clashes with police at a demonstration on the main city square, Kizilay,
in the Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring',
shrugging off mass protests against his government as medics reported
the first death in days of violence. Rallies started there last week
initially in protest at plans to redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a
rare green spot in central |
 |
| Turkish protesters run away from tear gas smoke during clashes with
police at a demonstration on the main city square, Kizilay, in the
Turkish capital Ankara on June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring', shrugging
off mass protests against his government as medics reported the first
death in days of violence. Rallies started there last week initially in
protest at plans to redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a rare green spot
in central Istanbul, and quickly spread, |
 |
| Turkish protesters erect a makeshift barricade during clashes at a
demonstration at the main city square, Kizilay, in the Turkish capital
Ankara on June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on
Monday rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring', shrugging off mass protests
against his government as medics reported the first death in days of
violence. Rallies started there last week initially in protest at plans
to redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a rare green spot in central
Istanbul, and quickly spread |
 |
| Riot police positioned near the office of the Prime Minister in Ankara,
Turkey, Monday, June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan on Monday again dismissed street protests against his rule as
actions organized by extremists, qualified them as a temporary bleep,
and angrily rejected comparisons with the Arab Spring uprisings.
Appearing defensive and angry, and cutting a disconnected figure, he
lashed out at reporters who asked whether the government had understood
"the message" by protesters airing |
 |
| Riot police fire tear gas against protesters during a demonstration in
Ankara on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the Islamic-rooted
government. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday
rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring', shrugging off mass protests against
his government as medics reported the first death in days of violence.
Rallies started there last week initially in protest at plans to
redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a rare green spot in central Istanbul,
and quickly spread, inflamed by anger at |
 |
| Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration in
Ankara on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the Islamic-rooted
government. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday
rejected talk of a 'Turkish Spring', shrugging off mass protests against
his government as medics reported the first death in days of violence.
Rallies started there last week initially in protest at plans to
redevelop the adjacent Gezi Park, a rare green spot in central Istanbul,
and quickly spread, inflamed by anger at |
 |
| A protestor gestures during a demonstration in Ankara, on June 3, 2013,
in a nationwide wave of protests.Turkey's Islamist-rooted government
faced growing pressure on June 3 after angry demonstrators clashed for a
third night with police. The unrest began as a local outcry against
plans to redevelop Gezi Park, a rare green spot near Taksim, but after a
heavy-handed police response the protests spread to other districts --
and then to dozens of cities across Turkey. Accused by critics of
pushing an increasingly |
 |
| Protestors stand in front of items set on fire in Ankara, on June 3,
2013, in a nationwide wave of protests.Turkey's Islamist-rooted
government faced growing pressure on June 3 after angry demonstrators
clashed for a third night with police. The unrest began as a local
outcry against plans to redevelop Gezi Park, a rare green spot near
Taksim, but after a heavy-handed police response the protests spread to
other districts -- and then to dozens of cities across Turkey. Accused
by critics of pushing an increasingly |
 |
| Protestors walk during a demonstration in Ankara, on June 3, 2013, in a
nationwide wave of protests.Turkey's Islamist-rooted government faced
growing pressure on June 3 after angry demonstrators clashed for a third
night with police. The unrest began as a local outcry against plans to
redevelop Gezi Park, a rare green spot near Taksim, but after a
heavy-handed police response the protests spread to other districts --
and then to dozens of cities across Turkey. Accused by critics of
pushing an increasingly |
 |
| Protestors clash with riot police near the Taksim Gezi park in Istanbul,
on June 1, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the
park. Turkish police on June 1 began pulling out of Istanbul's iconic
Taksim Square, after a second day of violent clashes between protesters
and police over a controversial development project. Thousands of
demonstrators flooded the site as police lifted the barricades around
the park and began withdrawing from the square. What started as an
outcry against a local development project |
 |
| A woman opens her arms as police use a water cannon to disperse
protestors on June 1, 2013 during a protest against the demolition of
Taksim Gezi Park in Istanbul. Turkey police on June 1 began pulling out
of Istanbul's iconic Taksim Square, the scene of a second day of violent
clashes between protesters and police over a controversial development
project. Thousands of demonstrators flooded the site as police lifted
the barricades around the park and began withdrawing from the square.
(FATIH KECE/AFP |
 |
| Protestors arrive in Taksim Square on June 1, 2013 after clashing with
riot police during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park
in Istanbul. Turkey police on June 1 began pulling out of Istanbul's
iconic Taksim Square, the scene of a second day of violent clashes
between protesters and police over a controversial development project.
Thousands of demonstrators flooded the site as police lifted the
barricades around the park and began withdrawing from the square.
(BULENT KILIC/AFP |
 |
| Some stores on Istiklal street are damaged on June 1, 2013, during a
protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Tourists gasp for breath as Turkish protestors and riot policemen clash
on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi
Park, in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Demponstrators clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in
Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the demolition
of the park. Turkish police on June 1 began pulling out of Istanbul's
iconic Taksim Square, after a second day of violent clashes between
protesters and police over a controversial development project.
Thousands of demonstrators flooded the site as police lifted the
barricades around the park and began withdrawing from the square. What
started as an outcry against a local |
 |
| Turkish protestors and riot policemen clash on June 1, 2013, during a
protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse a group, who were
standing guard in Gezi Parki to prevent the Istanbul Metropolitan
Municipality from demolishing the last remaining green public space in
the centre of Istanbul as a part of a major Taksim renewal project. At
least a dozen people were injured. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors buy gas masks from shops on June 1, 2013, during a protest
against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in karakoy in Istanbul.
(GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| The slogan 'Fuck police' is seen on June 1, 2013 on a shop window which
has been broken, on Istiklal street, during a protest on the eve
against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Riot police use tear gas against protestors in Istiklal street on June
1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in
Taksim Square in Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Istiklal street seen in early morning during the clashes on June 1,
2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in
Taksim Square in Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Some stores on Istiklal street are damaged on June 1, 2013, during a
protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A riot policeman holds a tear gas bomb on June 1, 2013, during a protest
against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Fenerbahce and Galatasaray football teams supporters chant slogangs
against the goverment on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the
demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in istiklal in Istanbul. (OZAN
KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A woman asks police to stop as Turkish protestors and riot policemen
clash on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim
Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty
Images) |
 |
| Turkish protestors and riot policemen clash on June 1, 2013, during a
protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in
Istanbul. (BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Turkish protestors clash with Turkish riot policemen between Taksim and
Besiktas in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during a demonstration against the
demolition of the park. (GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors clash with Turkish riot policemen on May 31, 2013 during a
protest against the demolition of the Taksim Gezi Park in Taksim Square
in Istanbul. (GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors clash with Turkish riot policemen on May 31, 2013 during a
protest against the demolition of the Taksim Gezi Park in Taksim Square
in Istanbul. (GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A man falls as riot police use tear gas and pressurized water to quash a
peaceful demonstration by hundreds of people staging a sit-in protest
to try and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey,
Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured. Police moved
in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest
against a contentious government plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square,
Taksim. The protesters are demanding that the square’s park, Gezi, is
protected. (AP |
 |
| An injured man reacts as riot police use tear gas and pressurized water
to quash a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of people staging a sit-in
protest to try and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park,
Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured.
Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day
of the protest against a contentious government plan to revamp
Istanbul’s main square, Taksim. The protesters are demanding that the
square’s park, Gezi, is protected. (AP |
 |
| Riot police use tear gas and pressurized water to quash a peaceful
demonstration by hundreds of people staging a sit-in protest to try and
prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey, Friday, May
31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured. Police moved in at dawn
Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest against a
contentious government plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim.
The protesters are demanding that the square’s park, Gezi, is protected.
(AP Photo) |
 |
| Protesters react as riot police use tear gas and pressurized water to
quash a peaceful demonstration by people staging a sit-in protest to try
and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey,
Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured. Police moved
in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest
against a contentious government plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square,
Taksim. The protesters are demanding that the square’s park, Gezi, is
protected. (AP |
 |
| In this Thursday, May 30, 2013 photo, a man seen wearing a make-shift
gas-mask hours before riot police use tear gas and pressurized water to
quash a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of people staging a sit-in
protest to try and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park,
Turkey. Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the
fourth day of the protest against a contentious government plan to
revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim, injuring a number of protesters.
The protesters are demanding that |
 |
| In this Thursday, May 30, 2013 photo, People seen during a peaceful
demonstration, staging a sit-in protest to try and prevent the
demolition of trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey. Police moved in at dawn
Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest against a
contentious government plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim,
injuring a number of protesters. The protesters are demanding that the
square’s park, Gezi, is protected. (AP Photo) |
 |
| A woman protects herself as riot police use tear gas and pressurized
water to quash a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of people staging a
sit-in protest to try and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul
park, Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters were
injured. Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the
fourth day of the protest against a contentious government plan to
revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim. The protesters are demanding that
the square’s park, Gezi, is protected. |
 |
| Women try to protect themselves as riot police use tear gas and
pressurized water to quash a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of
people staging a sit-in protest to try and prevent the demolition of
trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of
protesters were injured. Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the
crowd on the fourth day of the protest against a contentious government
plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim. The protesters are
demanding that the square’s park, |
 |
| Turkish demonstrators hold their national flag on June 4, 2013 during a
protest in front of the prime minister's office in Ankara. (MARCO
LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A man helps an injured woman as riot police use tear gas and pressurized
water to disperse protesters staging a sit-in protest to try and
prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey, Friday, May
31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured. Police moved in at dawn
Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest against a
contentious government plan to revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim.
The protesters are demanding that the square’s park, Gezi, is protected.
(AP Photo) |
 |
| Riot police use water cannon to disperse protesters staging a sit-in
protest to try and prevent the demolition of trees at an Istanbul park,
Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters were injured.
Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on the fourth day
of the protest against a contentious government plan to revamp
Istanbul’s main square, Taksim. The protesters are demanding that the
square’s park, Gezi, is protected. (AP Photo) |
 |
| Riot police use tear gas and pressurized water to disperse protesters
staging a sit-in protest to try and prevent the demolition of trees at
an Istanbul park, Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. A number of protesters
were injured. Police moved in at dawn Friday to disperse the crowd on
the fourth day of the protest against a contentious government plan to
revamp Istanbul’s main square, Taksim. The protesters are demanding that
the square’s park, Gezi, is protected. (AP Photo) |
 |
| A woman holds up a banner that reads "Don't interfere with my life style
" as thousands of people gather in support of demonstrators staging a
sit-in to prevent the uprooting of trees at an Istanbul park, in Ankara,
Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. Riot police clash with demonstrators
after they used tear gas and pressurized water in a dawn raid on Friday
to rout a peaceful demonstration by thousands of people in Istanbul.
Several protesters were injured when a wall they climbed collapsed
during a police |
 |
| People hold up banners that read " Chemical Tayyip, Go!" and "Resist the
Dictator" as thousands of people gather in support of demonstrators
staging a sit-in to prevent the uprooting of trees at an Istanbul park,
in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. Riot police clash with
demonstrators after they used tear gas and pressurized water in a dawn
raid on Friday to rout a peaceful demonstration by thousands of people
in Istanbul. Several protesters were injured when a wall they climbed
collapsed during a police |
 |
| Thousands of people gather in support of demonstrators staging a sit-in
to prevent the uprooting of trees at an Istanbul park, in Ankara,
Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. Riot police clash with demonstrators after
they used tear gas and pressurized water in a dawn raid on Friday to
rout a peaceful demonstration by thousands of people in Istanbul.
Several protesters were injured when a wall they climbed collapsed
during a police chase. Police moved in to disperse the crowd on the
fourth day of the protest against a |
 |
| Riot police clash with demonstrators after they used tear gas and
pressurized water in a dawn raid Friday to rout a peaceful demonstration
by hundreds of people staging a sit-in to prevent the uprooting of
trees at an Istanbul park, Turkey, Friday, May 31, 2013. Several
protesters were injured when a wall they climbed collapsed during a
police chase, and Ahmet Sik, a prominent journalist was hospitalized
after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister. Police moved in to
disperse the crowd on the fourth day of the protest against a government
plan to revamp |
 |
Tensions Grow As Demonstrations Against The Government Continue In Istanbul
ISTANBUL,
TURKEY - JUNE 04: Protestors cover their faces with plastic during
clashes with Turkish police near Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas, early morning on June 4,
2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The protests began initially over the fate of
Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last significant green spaces in the center
of the city. The heavy-handed viewed response of the police, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and his government's increasingly authoritarian agenda has
broadened the rage of the clashes. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)Ê
(Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors carry stones for building baricade during clashes with riot
police between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during a
demonstration against the demolition of the park. Turkish police on June
1 began pulling out of Istanbul's iconic Taksim Square, after a second
day of violent clashes between protesters and police over a
controversial development project. Thousands of demonstrators flooded
the site aspolice lifted the barricades around the park and began withdrawing from
the square. What started as an outcry against a local development
project has snowballed into widespread anger against what critics say is
the government's increasingly conservative and authoritarian agenda.
AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT
KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| A protestor during clashes with Turkish police near Turkish prime
minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas, early
morning on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Uriel
Sinai/Getty Images)Ê |
 |
| Demonstrators clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in
Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the demolition
of the park. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) |
 |
| Protestors surrounded by a cloud of tear gas during clashes with Turkish
police near Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between
Taksim and Besiktas, early morning on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
(Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images) |
