The use of force against mass protests in Turkey has created an even stronger opposition than Erdogan could have imagined. This spark may yet turn into a massive fire.
Erdogan’s government have threatened to use the army to suppress further demonstrations, as trade unions strike in support of the protesters, and the police continue to use violence in an attempt to quell the unrest across the country.
Calm swept into Gezi Park last night as thousands of protesters listened in silence as German pianist Davide Martello and Turkish musician Yiğit Özatalay played for them.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a “final warning” to protesters to leave Gezi Park in Istanbul, following the lrage-scale police operation that cleared adjacent Taksim Square on Tuesday night.
After a night of clashes between protesters and riot police, tensions remain high but the trouble has quietened down for now in Istanbul’s Taksim Square.