Turkish police force out protesters from Taksim Square

The riot police assaulted the barricade in this Istanbul square that became the symbol of the protest against the islamization of Turkey.

The riot police have cleared Taksim Square on the 12th days of the protest action. People protesting against the policy for Turkish PM Tayyip Erdoğan have been forced out to Gezi Park. A lot of protesters have left Taksim Square.

Protesters have been attacked with tear gas, water-canons and rubber bullets. However, the riot police did not touch the tents in the park.

The police wanted to remove flags and posters from the statue of Kemal Ataturk and Ataturk Cultural centre, Istanbul governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu said. “We have no other goals, Gezi Park and Taksim Square will not be affected,” BBC quoted the politician’s remark on Twitter.

The protests started in Turkey on the night of June 1. People went out to Istanbul streets when they learnt that the authorities were going to build a mosque and an entertainment centre in the place of Gezi park, Kemal Ataturk’s statue and Ataturk Cultural Centre. The protests against the islamization of Turkey conducted by Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party started in Ankara, Antalya and other major cities.

4 people have been killed in 12 days and over 5 thousands have been injured. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested so far.