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Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning | Turkey protests: Clashes continue despite PM's warning |
(35 minutes later) | |
Turkish riot police have used tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators who gathered on Taksim Square in Istanbul, after a day of sporadic clashes. | Turkish riot police have used tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators who gathered on Taksim Square in Istanbul, after a day of sporadic clashes. |
Many protesters regrouped in nearby Gezi Park, where unrest continued into Wednesday morning. | Many protesters regrouped in nearby Gezi Park, where unrest continued into Wednesday morning. |
At dawn, bulldozers moved into Taksim Square to clear away debris, barricades and makeshift shelters. | At dawn, bulldozers moved into Taksim Square to clear away debris, barricades and makeshift shelters. |
Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of Gezi Park. | Protests began 13 days ago over the redevelopment of Gezi Park. |
They then widened, with demonstrators accusing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state. | They then widened, with demonstrators accusing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state. |
Mr Erdogan has offered to hold talks with protest organisers on Wednesday but correspondents say it is unclear whether the meeting will still take place in light of the clashes. | |
Makeshift clinics | |
Thousands converged on the square as night fell on Tuesday and were repelled by water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas. | |
Many peaceful demonstrators were also caught in the clashes, and volunteers set up makeshift clinics to treat anyone injured. | Many peaceful demonstrators were also caught in the clashes, and volunteers set up makeshift clinics to treat anyone injured. |
Many of the dispersed demonstrators sought shelter in nearby areas, including Gezi park. Police said they did not plan to enter the park. | |
Throughout the day, riot police had repeatedly clashed with protesters throwing bottles, rocks and firebombs. | |
Security forces cleared the square, only for the demonstrators to return. | |
Mr Erdogan defended the police action, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey. | |
In a televised speech, he said: "To those who... are at Taksim and elsewhere taking part in the demonstrations with sincere feelings: I call on you to leave those places and to end these incidents and I send you my love. | In a televised speech, he said: "To those who... are at Taksim and elsewhere taking part in the demonstrations with sincere feelings: I call on you to leave those places and to end these incidents and I send you my love. |
"But for those who want to continue with the incidents I say: 'It's over.' | "But for those who want to continue with the incidents I say: 'It's over.' |
"As of now we have no tolerance for them." | "As of now we have no tolerance for them." |
The protests began on 31 May. | The protests began on 31 May. |
The Turkish Human Rights Foundation says four people have been killed, including one policeman. | The Turkish Human Rights Foundation says four people have been killed, including one policeman. |
Some 5,000 protesters have been treated for injuries or the effects of tear gas, while officials say 600 police have also been injured. | Some 5,000 protesters have been treated for injuries or the effects of tear gas, while officials say 600 police have also been injured. |
Protests have also occurred in the capital, Ankara, with smaller demonstrations in many other cities. | Protests have also occurred in the capital, Ankara, with smaller demonstrations in many other cities. |
Police in Ankara have used water cannon and tear gas to break up demonstrations almost every night. | Police in Ankara have used water cannon and tear gas to break up demonstrations almost every night. |