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Turkey protests rage for second day Turkey protests rage for second day
(about 2 hours later)
Violent protests have continued for a second day in Turkey, with police and protesters clashing in Istanbul and the capital Ankara. Violent clashes between police and protesters have continued for a second day in Turkey, as the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, condemned the demonstrators as "extremists running wild".
In Istanbul, thousands of protesters blocked the bridge over the Bosphorus as they marched from the east to the west side of the city to join demonstrations on Saturday morning. In Istanbul, police used water cannon and teargas on thousands of protesters who marched from the east to the west side of the city over the Bosphorus river bridge to join the demonstrations.
The unrest began with a peaceful protest against the redevleopment of Gezi park in Istanbul's Taksim Square, but escalated as anger mounted at violent police tactics, including the use of teargas. Police also used teargas to disperse protesters in Gezi park in Istanbul's Taksim Square, where the unrest began on Friday with a peaceful protest against the devleopment of a shopping centre on the Ottoman site.
The demonstration turned into a wider protest against the country's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seen as becoming increasingly authoritarian, and spread to other Turkish cities. The demonstration escalated as anger mounted at violent police tactics and turned into a wider protest against Erdogan, who is seen as becoming increasingly authoritarian.
Erdogan called for an immediate end to protests and vowed to push ahead with the redevelopment which triggered the demonstrations. The Nationalist Movement party (MHP) held a press conferenceon Saturday in the square, with members calling for the prime minister to to step down.
"Every four years we hold elections and this nation makes its choice," Erdogan said in a speech broadcast on television. Erdogan called for an immediate end to the protests and vowed to push ahead with the redevelopment in Taksim Square. He also said order would be restored "to ensure the safety of people and their property".
"Those who have a problem with government's policies can express their opinions within the framework of law and democracy … I am asking the protesters to immediately end these actions," he said. "Police were there [in Taksim Square] yesterday. They'll be on duty today and also tomorrow because Taksim Square cannot be an area where extremists are running wild," he said.
There is resentment in secular circles towards Erdogan's broadly Islamic government and towards the prime minister himself, who is known for his abrasive style and intolerance of criticism.
Protests have spread to other Turkish cities, including the capital Ankara, where thousands again gathered on Saturday.
In Ankara, thousands gathered at a small park and moved into a popular shopping street.
Many were seen drinking in the street in protest at a new law passed last week preventing the sale and advertisement of alcoholic drinks, a moved that alarmed secularists. Police broke up groups that tried to march toward the parliament building, a few hundred metres away.
The Turkish Doctors' Association said nearly 1,000 people had been injured in Istanbul on Friday, including six who lost eyes after being hit by gas canisters.The Turkish Doctors' Association said nearly 1,000 people had been injured in Istanbul on Friday, including six who lost eyes after being hit by gas canisters.
On Saturday, police clashed with several groups of youths trying to reach Taksim. Some threw stones at the security forces.
The marchers who crossed the Bosphorus bridge were met with water cannons and teargas. Police detained a group of protesters who ran into a hotel to shelter from the gas.
In Ankara, thousands gathered at a small park and moved into a popular shopping street. Many were seen drinking in the street in protest at the government restrictions on the sale and advertisement of alcohol. Police broke up groups that tried to march toward the parliament building, a few hundred metres away.
Ozturk Turkdogan, the head of the Turkish Human Rights Association, said hundreds of people in several cities had been injured in the police crackdown and a few hundred people had been arrested. The Dogan news agency said 81 demonstrators were detained in Istanbul.Ozturk Turkdogan, the head of the Turkish Human Rights Association, said hundreds of people in several cities had been injured in the police crackdown and a few hundred people had been arrested. The Dogan news agency said 81 demonstrators were detained in Istanbul.
Turkish police have previously been accused of excessive use of teargas and violence to stop demonstrations, including at this year's May Day rally.Turkish police have previously been accused of excessive use of teargas and violence to stop demonstrations, including at this year's May Day rally.
Turkdogan said: "The use of gas at such proportions is unacceptable. It is a danger to public health and as such is a crime. Unfortunately, there isn't a prosecutor brave enough to stand up to police. The people are standing up against Erdogan who is trying to monopolise power and is meddling in all aspects of life."Turkdogan said: "The use of gas at such proportions is unacceptable. It is a danger to public health and as such is a crime. Unfortunately, there isn't a prosecutor brave enough to stand up to police. The people are standing up against Erdogan who is trying to monopolise power and is meddling in all aspects of life."
There is resentment in secular circles towards Erdogan's broadly Islamic government and towards the prime minister himself, who is known for his abrasive style and intolerance of criticism. The Foreign Office has advised British tourists to avoid anti-government demonstrations in Turkey. "Demonstrations are taking place in Istanbul and in other cities across Turkey, including Ankara. Police are using tear gas and water cannons in response. We advise British nationals to avoid all demonstrations," the Foreign Office's website advises.
Last week, the government passed legislation preventing the sale and advertisement of alcoholic drinks, alarming secularists. Many felt insulted when he defended the legislation by calling people who drink alcoholics. The Association of British Travel Agents said approximately 15,000 holidaymakers from the UK would have been in Turkey over the past week during the half-term break, but that many would be returning this weekend.
Thousands marched through streets in several cities on Friday, calling on Erdogan to resign. Cars honked and residents banged on pots and pans in solidarity with the protesters. Most tourists go to seaside resorts. The association spokeswoman said: "The vast majority of people travelling to Turkey shouldn't be affected, but if people are in Istanbul they should avoid central areas where the demonstrations are happening."
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