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Turkey Protests Continue As Erdogan Blames Foreign Elements

Colin Hale |
June 22, 2013 | 3:22 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

Anti-government protests in Turkey continued on Saturday, with riot police in Istanbul using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protesters in Taksim Square. The protesters were participating in a memorial for four people killed during earlier anti-government protests. This latest incident has abruptly ended six days of relative calm and restraint by both sides.

Reuters said that as many as 10,000 demonstrators were in Taksim Square on Saturday, with hundreds of riot police present to disperse the crowd. According to several sources, Turkish authorities arrested another 23 people for their participation in the protests.

Protests also continued in the Turkish capital of Ankara, with protesters lamenting the "harsh treatment endured at the hands of officers," according to the New York Times.

ALSO SEE: Violence And Protests In Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rallied his supporters and has hardened his rhetoric since last week. He accused the opposition of insulting Islam and pointed to an "international conspiracy" with financial interests during a speech to thousands of supporters in the Black Sea resort city of Samsun. 

Erdogan blamed "foreign-led conspirators" for being behind the anti-government protests in his country as well as Brazil, where protests throughout that country over rising public transit rates, corruption, and overall government abuse have threatened to negatively affect this month's FIFA Confederations Cup soccer tournament and next year's FIFA World Cup.

ALSO SEE: Protests Continue In Brazil, Denouncing World Cup And Olympics

Erdogan's opponents have continued to call for his resignation, chanting "Dictator Tayyip" and "This is just the beginning." Many have accused Erdogan of becoming more authoritarian and for "pursuing an Islamist agenda."

Anti-government protests in Turkey began in May over the redevelopment of a park in Istanbul.  It has since gained momentum throughout Turkey after activists accused the police of using inappropriate and heavy-handed measures.



 

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