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Turkey protests: Unrest rages in Istanbul and Ankara | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Turkey is entering a second day of violent protests, with fresh clashes between police and demonstrators in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. | |
The protest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square, but escalated after police used tear gas. | |
Tear gas was again fired on Saturday as hundreds of protesters tried to cross a Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul. | |
In Ankara, protesters tried to march on the parliament. | |
Transport lockdown | |
Hundreds of demonstrators 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. | Police fired tear gas to try to disperse them and some protesters threw rocks. |
Police also fired water cannon and tear gas in Taksim Square as demonstrators chanted "unite against fascism" and "government resign". | |
Clashes were also reported in the Besiktas district. | |
One Istanbul resident, who gave her name as Lily, told the BBC's World Service: "There are 40,000 people crossing the bridge between Asia and Europe today. All the public transport is on lockdown." | |
She said that police had dropped tear-gas canisters from helicopters overnight. | |
"About half past one the entire city started to reverberate. People were banging on pots, pans, blowing whistles," she said. | |
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. | 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. | |
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!" |
On Saturday, protesters chanting anti-government slogans tried to march on the parliament. | On Saturday, protesters chanting anti-government slogans tried to march on the parliament. |
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' | |
Demonstrators had gathered in Gezi Park on Friday 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. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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