Activists plan rally on anniversary of Gezi Park clashes
- 10 years ago
Activists behind last summer’s anti-government demonstrations in Turkey are planning to defy a government ban on protests. A rally on Saturday May 31 is planned to mark the first anniversary of the unrest.
What began last year as a peaceful demonstration to redevelop Gazi Park, spiralled into nationwide protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a heavy-handed police crackdown.
Today 25,000 security officials have been deployed from eleven cities to Istanbul. Fifty armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon are ready to prevent protesters getting to Gezi Park.
Erdogan, whose popularity appears undamaged despite a raft of scandals, has urged people not to take part in the demonstration.
What began last year as a peaceful demonstration to redevelop Gazi Park, spiralled into nationwide protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a heavy-handed police crackdown.
Today 25,000 security officials have been deployed from eleven cities to Istanbul. Fifty armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon are ready to prevent protesters getting to Gezi Park.
Erdogan, whose popularity appears undamaged despite a raft of scandals, has urged people not to take part in the demonstration.