Gezi Park activists dig in as protests continue
- 11 years ago
Turkish activists wake up to another day of protest in Istanbul's Gezi park on Saturday.
After more than a week of occupying the park in protest at plans for its redevelopment, activists say they have no intention of leaving.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER AND VOLUNTEER, GUKCE GUNAC SAYING:
"As long as they won't give up, that our President or whatever, But as long as it goes on we will stay here. I don't know how many months or years it will take but it will go on. We are going to stay here."
Demonstrators have organized makeshift canteens to distribute food and rubbish collections in an attempt to keep the park clean.
Gezi has become the focal point of nationwide unrest and dissatisfaction with what some see as the increasingly authoritarian rule of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
Clashes flared in Istanbul on Friday night, with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs at police.
Police backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters have clas
After more than a week of occupying the park in protest at plans for its redevelopment, activists say they have no intention of leaving.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER AND VOLUNTEER, GUKCE GUNAC SAYING:
"As long as they won't give up, that our President or whatever, But as long as it goes on we will stay here. I don't know how many months or years it will take but it will go on. We are going to stay here."
Demonstrators have organized makeshift canteens to distribute food and rubbish collections in an attempt to keep the park clean.
Gezi has become the focal point of nationwide unrest and dissatisfaction with what some see as the increasingly authoritarian rule of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
Clashes flared in Istanbul on Friday night, with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs at police.
Police backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters have clas