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| The Grand Turk |
| Istanbul governor warns against new protest |
| 2013-07-07 |
| ANKARA -- IstanbulÂ’s governor warned Saturday that a planned gathering by protesters at the cityÂ’s landmark Taksim Square is illegal and that police would disperse participants. Gov. Huseying Avni MutluÂ’s warning came hours before protesters were expected to converge on the square, intending to forcibly enter the nearby Gezi Park whose redevelopment plans sparked anger and morphed into nationwide anti-government protests in June. Gezi Park has been cordoned off since June 15, when police routed environmentalists who occupied it amid the widespread protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoganÂ’s government. His opponents say he has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power a decade ago. The protests have now dwindled although thousands of demonstrators have been gathering at Taksim every Saturday for the past three weeks, demanding justice for a protester who was killed by police fire. Taksim Solidarity, an umbrella group of organizations representing protesters, called for SaturdayÂ’s rally at the square to serve notice to authorities of a court decision that has annulled the redevelopment plans and then attempt to break through the police cordon. Mutlu has said the protest is unauthorized and warned that police would intervene. He also said authorities planned to reopen the park on Sunday or Monday. |
| Posted by:Steve White |