Turkish Police Storms Taksim Square Using Tear Gas, Pressurized Water against Protestors

ISTANBUL- Turkish riot police used tear gas and pressurized water to enter Taksim Square on Tuesday morning, where Gezi Park protests have been continuing for two week, according to The Turkish Hurriyet.

Police used tear gas and pressurized water against a handful of protesters clashing with the police, while the majority of the protesters retreated to the Gezi Park and asked everybody to keep calm.

Clashes between police and small groups of protesters continue in streets and alleys around the Taksim Square.Gezi Park is relatively calm aside from the effects of the tear gas generously used in the square.

The Turkish police raid allowed removal of barricades and banners.

At least two people have been wounded so far in the clashes, according to Hürriyet Daily News sources.

Olat Güden, a young protestor who was hit with a gas canister, said the police fired the gas bomb from 50 meters away pointing the gas gun to his face.

“I had a Turkish flag in my hand and I was trying to stop the clash between the protestors and police, I was in the middle and he hit me,” Güden told the Hürriyet Daily News on the while volunteer doctors was treating his heavily injured right leg.

One of the injured was unconscious, possibly passed out. Police have continued using gas in the Sıraselviler, Tarlabaşı and Elmadağ sections of Taksim. One of the protesters told the Daily News that the police had aimed tear gas at his face, and when he turned around the run away, the gas capsule hit him in the leg.

Despite constant announcements by police forces warning Gezi Park crowds to remain in the park, protesters are currently trying to approach the clashes in a move to show support and solidarity with those under police intervention.

H. Mustafa