The latest news from Istanbul is the sit-in to protect the Taksim Gezi Park is still going strong after a brutal crackdown by the police that appears to have shocked the nation.
The protest began on May 28 when about 50 environmentalists ralled in the park to oppose plans for the erection of buildings in the park, including reportedly a shopping center.
The protests turned into riots after the police cracked down with tear gas and water cannons.
The protests have spread around the country and grown into a protest against the rule of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power now for 10 years. At least four people have been killed and throusands injured, with over 3,000 people arrested so far.
On June 4. the deputy prime minister apologized for the “excessive force” used at the beginning of the riots, but added he would not apologize for the police violence that came later.
The protest began as a call to protect a park in the ancient city of Istanbul, but grew into a protest against the government. The call to protect the park remains, but this has become the equivalant of a “Turkish Spring.”
