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Istanbul protests: Second day of unrest in Turkey | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Turkey is entering a second day of protests after clashes between police and demonstrators left dozens of people injured in Istanbul on Friday. | |
The protest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Taksim Square, but escalated and became violent after police used tear gas. | The protest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Taksim Square, but escalated and became violent after police used tear gas. |
Tear gas was again fired on Saturday morning as hundreds of protesters marched over a Bosphorus bridge. | |
The unrest has spread as far as Ankara, Bodrum, Konya and Izmir. | |
Hundreds of protesters marched over the bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of Istanbul on Saturday morning to try to reach the main square. | |
Police fired tear gas to try to disperse them and some protesters threw rocks. | |
The BBC's Louise Greenwood in Istanbul says police from as far afield as Antalya are being drafted in to help quell the violence. | The BBC's Louise Greenwood in Istanbul says police from as far afield as Antalya are being drafted in to help quell the violence. |
She says the central Taksim district and surrounding areas remain cordoned off and bridges are closed to traffic. | |
Istanbul's governor said a dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained after Friday's clashes, which continued into the night. | Istanbul's governor said a dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained after Friday's clashes, which continued into the night. |
In Ankara, protesters staged what they described as a solidarity rally, with many participants chanting: "Everywhere is resistance, everywhere is Taksim!" | In Ankara, protesters staged what they described as a solidarity rally, with many participants chanting: "Everywhere is resistance, everywhere is Taksim!" |
The US has expressed concern over Turkey's handling of the protests and Amnesty International condemned the police's tactics. | The US has expressed concern over Turkey's handling of the protests and Amnesty International condemned the police's tactics. |
Witnesses said tear gas was deployed randomly on people who were "by and large protesting peacefully". | Witnesses said tear gas was deployed randomly on people who were "by and large protesting peacefully". |
'Creeping Islamisation' | 'Creeping Islamisation' |
Demonstrators had gathered in Gezi Park to contest the controversial redevelopment project aimed at easing congestion around Taksim Square, which involved uprooting trees. | |
Opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul. | Opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul. |
Correspondents say the issue has helped highlight unhappiness among young people towards the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party over what they see as creeping Islamisation. | Correspondents say the issue has helped highlight unhappiness among young people towards the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party over what they see as creeping Islamisation. |
Last week, Turkey's parliament approved legislation restricting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks between 22:00 and 06:00. | Last week, Turkey's parliament approved legislation restricting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks between 22:00 and 06:00. |
The prime minister's AK Party has its roots in political Islam, but he says he is committed to Turkey's state secularism. | The prime minister's AK Party has its roots in political Islam, but he says he is committed to Turkey's state secularism. |
Mr Erdogan has been in power since 2002 and some in Turkey have complained that his government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. | Mr Erdogan has been in power since 2002 and some in Turkey have complained that his government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. |
Earlier this month, riot police clashed with tens of thousands of people attempting to hold a May Day march in Istanbul. | Earlier this month, riot police clashed with tens of thousands of people attempting to hold a May Day march in Istanbul. |