Thousands of protesters in Istanbul are participating in the
second day of the country’s most intense anti-government demonstrations in
years. Turkish riot police are using tear gas and water cannons to subdue the
crowds, but this is only fueling them even more. Plans to redevelop a city park
in Taksim Square prompted a peaceful protest, to which the police responded harshly,
and in what many believe was an unjust manner. Since then, the public has
responded in the manner that is currently being played our across the country.
At least 80 people have been injured, while hundreds have
been detained by police. Mevlut Cavusoglu, the vice president of foreign
affairs, said the excessive police force that began the anti-government
protests would be investigated because it “is not acceptable” as the country is
trying to democratize.
Crowds marching down major streets chanting “unite against fascism”
and “government resign” were fired at with tear gas and water cannons as police
helicopters flew overhead. The protesters are young men and women with surgical
masks or bandannas around their mouths. They are using Twitter and Facebook to
organize themselves and regroup when dispersed. Anger is now pointed towards
the Prime Minister and the media. They say the media has “sold out” to the government
and is not covering the protests.
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