 |
| Effect of Agent Orange to Human Body. |
Protests spread across Turkey on Saturday as tens of thousands of demonstrators headed to the streets during the second day of civil unrest in the country. The protests began on what is now being called “Bloody Friday” over plans to destroy Gezi Park, known as the only green space left in central Istanbul. It started as a peaceful protest, with demonstrators setting up tents, singing, and reading books to at the park to keep out bulldozers. Police soon began to fire tear gas grenades, water cannons, and rubber bullets into the crowd or peaceful protesters. Protesters claim the Turkish government is using chemical weapons against them. There have been numerous reports that the Turkish government is using Agent Orange, a chemical banned by the U.N. against the protesters.
The peaceful protests have turned into a face-off between police and demonstrators, with clashes throughout the night on Friday, and continuing through all of Saturday and into Sunday. Riot police have been accused of “heavy-handed tactics” as crowds of protesters chanted, "shoulder to shoulder against fascism" and "government resign". Those who would not take to the streets stood in front of their windows banging pots and pans, shouting support. Others held up cans of beer in defiance of the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), which passed a recent law restricting the sale and advertising of alcohol. Protesters claimed that the government in Turkey is increasingly authoritarian and trying to pull the country into the conflict in neighboring Syria.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, AKP’s vice president of foreign affairs, stated that the protest turned violent, but admitted that the police used excessive force. "It is true police used excessive force and this is not acceptable," he said. "We cannot accept this because we have been trying to democratize this country."
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the current Prime Minister of Turkey, also admitted that there have been cases of “extreme” police action. "I call on the protesters to stop their demonstrations immediately," he said in a televised statement. "It is true that there have been some mistakes, extremism in police response." He also stated that legal action would be taken against police officers acting "disproportionately". Erdogan remained defiant, however, pledging to push forward with the plans to redevelop Taksim Square. "If this is about holding meetings, if this is a social movement, where they gather 20, I will get up and gather 200,000 people. Where they gather 100,000, I will bring together one million from my party," he said. "Every four years we hold elections and this nation makes its choice. Those who have a problem with government's policies can express their opinions within the framework of law and democracy." Erdoğan has been in power since 2002 and has indicated he will attempt to change the country’s constitution to allow him another term in office.
Police have now withdrawn from many areas, allowing the protesters to gather. Many of the protesters saw this as a victory. “It’s the first time in Turkey’s democratic history that an unplanned, peaceful protest movement succeeded in changing the government’s approach and policy,” said Sinan Ulgen, the chairman of the Center for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies. “It gave for the first time a strong sense of empowerment to ordinary citizens to demonstrate and further their belief that if they act like they did the last few days they can influence events in Turkey.”
Reportedly, there were more than 90 demonstrations in almost 50 cities. Amnesty International claims more than 1,000 people were injured and at least two people were killed. Video footage shows one protester run down by a police vehicle. On Sunday morning, there were clashes around the streets of Istanbul, although they were isolated. Witnesses say the atmosphere on Sunday morning was clam and largely peaceful. Demonstrators gathered around burnt cars and fires.
“He criticized Assad, but he’s the same,” said Murat Uludag, 32, who stood off to the side as protesters fought with police. “He’s crazy. No one knows what he’s doing or thinking. He’s completely crazy. Whatever he says today, he will say something different tomorrow.”
“When he first came to power, he was a good persuader and a good speaker,” said Serder Cilik, 32, who was watching the protests. Cilik said he had voted for Erdoğan but never again would he do so. “He brainwashed people with religion, and that’s how he got the votes. He fooled us. He’s a liar and a dictator.”
An elderly man stood nearby, overheard the conversation and yelled out, “Dictator!”
Protesters stopped a municipal water truck they believed was headed to refill police water cannons. They opened the valves and flooded the street. Many newspapers were silent on the protests on Saturday, the lead article in a pro-government newspaper, Sabah, was about Erdoğan promoting a campaign against smoking. Protesters marched near the country’s pro-government networks, chanting, “Burn the state media”.
The government of Turkey stated that, as of early Sunday morning, 939 people were arrested with 79 people injured. Many have stated that number seems low.
If you wish to ensure you receive email updates to all of Angel's articles please subscribe clicking the link above or join her Facebook Fan Page. Angel is also the Wilmington Prepper Examiner and the Wilmington Elections Examiner. You can read Angel's last article here.Feel free to comment below and follow Angel on her Twitter! You may listen to Angel LIVE Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm EST on RadioFreedom.us. You may learn more about her Talk Radio Topics and the Radio Freedom News Network on The Angel Clark Show Fan Page!
EFFECTS OF AGENT ORANGE
