Resistance Reaches Taksim Gezi Park on Day 5

Thousands of demonstrators who were protesting against the planned construction of a shopping mall in the last remaining green spot in downtown have finally set foot back to Taksim Gezi Park after the police withdrawal. Scores of people are marching towards Taksim Square from different parts of Istanbul. 

15.45 : Police withdrew from Taksim Sqaure to shuttle stops under the order of governor Mutlu. Several groups have set foot in Taksim Sqaure. Rumors spread that police completely withdrew from the square as hundreds of people chanted the “government to resign” and entered Taksim Gezi Park. 

15.55 : Police attacked those who entered Taksim Gezi Park. 

15.58: After the police attacks, demonstrators are returning to the park. Police deployed around Ataturk Culture Center, just meters away from the park.  

16.03: Drivers honked their horns in order to show their support to protestors in Beşiktaş. Hundreds of people have reportedly headed from Gümüşsuyu, Fındıkzade and Harbiye districts towards Taksim Square. Street sellers are selling colored paint material. 

16.05: Police intervention with tear gas. Demonstrators continue their march towards the square. 

16.09: Police fired gas boms at protestors. 

16.14:  Police attacks continue. Demonstrators are still struggling to reach the square.  16.32: Police withdrew. After 5 days, demonstrators have reached Taksim Gezi Park.

16.39: İstanbulites are marching en masse towards Taksim Sqaure. bianet was among the first to enter Taksim Gezi Park.

18:50: Hundreds of thousand people are dancing in the area. 

20.30: Protestors set up barricades in front of Divan Hotel. Many are chanting song in Taksim Gezi Park. 

21.00: Police heavily gassed protestors in Beşiktaş. The gas smell is reportedly noticeably from adjacent neighborhoods Nişantaşı and Fulya. A group of demonstrators in Taksim Square and different parts of Istanbul’s European districts are heading towards Beşiktaş for solidarity. (YY/NV/ÇT/BK/BM)

Photo credit: Nilay Vardar