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Turkey protests: Unrest rages in Istanbul and Ankara | Turkey protests: Unrest rages in Istanbul and Ankara |
(35 minutes later) | |
Turkey has entered a second day of violent protests, with fresh clashes between police and demonstrators in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. | Turkey has entered a second day of violent protests, with fresh clashes between police and demonstrators in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. |
The unrest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square, but escalated after police used tear gas. | The unrest 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 at protesters in Istanbul and Ankara. | Tear gas was again fired on Saturday at protesters in Istanbul and Ankara. |
In a defiant speech, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the park project would go ahead. | In a defiant speech, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the park project would go ahead. |
He also said that police would remain in Taksim Square to preserve order. | He also said that police would remain in Taksim Square to preserve order. |
Correspondents say that what began as a local issue has spiralled into more widespread anger at the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party. | Correspondents say that what began as a local issue has spiralled into more widespread anger at the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party. |
Transport lockdown | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | "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. |
In Ankara, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at a park, many drinking alcohol in protest at recent government restrictions on its sale and advertising. | |
Some chanting anti-government slogans tried to march on parliament but were dispersed by police. | Some chanting anti-government slogans tried to march on parliament but were dispersed by police. |
In a speech to the exporters' union on Saturday, Mr Erdogan vowed order would be restored "to ensure the safety of people and their property". | |
He said: "Police were there (Taksim Square) yesterday; they'll be on duty today and also tomorrow because Taksim Square cannot be an area where extremists are running wild." | |
Mr Erdogan accused protesters of using the issue as an excuse to create tension. | |
Many postings on Twitter have complained angrily about the lack of media coverage of the protests within Turkey. | Many postings on Twitter have complained angrily about the lack of media coverage of the protests within Turkey. |
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. |
'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. | 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 Mr Erdogan's plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul. | Opponents of Mr Erdogan's plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul. |
Istanbul's governor said a dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained after Friday's clashes. | |
Correspondents say the park issue has helped highlight unhappiness among young people towards the government and 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. |
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