A man sleeps at Taksim’s Gezi Park in Istanbul, hours after Turkish riot police invaded the square early on June 12, 2013.<\/p>\n
Turkish anti-government protesters continue to camp at Istanbul\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Gezi Park despite a fierce crackdown by the riot police.\n<\/p>\n
The nearby Taksim Square, the heart of Turkey’s ongoing anti-government protests, was covered with debris on Wednesday morning after a night of intense clashes between protesters and the riot police.\n<\/p>\n
Turkish police tried to push protesters out of the square by using tear gas and water cannons. But defiant demonstrators responded by hurling rocks and fireworks.\n<\/p>\n
The anti-government protests which began two weeks ago have now spread across the country. The demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.\n<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Erdogan defended the crackdown saying he would stand firm and maintain his stance on the protesters.\n<\/p>\n
The unrest began on May 31 after the police broke up a sit-in held at Taksim Square to protest against a proposal to demolish Gezi Park.\n<\/p>\n
Over the next 12 days, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters held demonstrations in 78 cities across the country.\n<\/p>\n
According to the Turkish Human Rights Foundation, four people have died, including a policeman, and about 5,000 people have been injured in the protests.\n<\/p>\n
The protesters say Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is Istanbul’s last public green space.\n<\/p>\n
Erdogan has been harshly criticized for the way he has handled the crisis, and Amnesty International has also censured the Turkish police for using excessive force against peaceful protesters.\n<\/p>\n
According to a number of political analysts, the popularity of the ruling Justice and Development Party — which has won three straight elections — could decline if Erdogan does not resolve the crisis in a way acceptable to the general public.\n<\/p>\n
MAM\/KA\/SS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n