Istanbul Gezi Park ready for demolition after dawn raid by the police

Early this morning, Istanbul Police have staged another harsh raid on “peaceful” protesters trying to protect trees from being cut down in the central park at Taksim Square, heart of the city.

After a couple of unsuccessful trials before that, the police finally seem to have moved the protesters out of the park enabling bulldozers and other construction machines to start operating on the field.

In spite of the growing support from many citizens for thousands of demonstrators, the government has not taken a step back (as declared by the PM several times earlier) and shown its determination to build a shopping mall after demolition of the park.

The police have used tear gas to stop resistance of protestors and many have been hurt and taken to hospitals as well.

The police have also used the Mass Incident Intervention Vehicle (TOMA) to disperse the demonstrators in the park, before seizing their tents. Some of the tents were burnt in the park, as the demonstrators remonstrated with civilian police officers for burning their tents.

After the police’ attack, the demolition vehicles resumed their work.

31.05.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA