Istanbulites Take Streets For Berkin Elvan

Following Berkin Elvan’s death early this morning, thousands of people took the streets in Istanbul’s Taksim, Kadıköy and Beşiktaş districts. 

As of 11 pm local time, police intervention resumed in Istiklal and Tarlabaşı Avenues with tear gas and water canons. While protestors often chanted anti-government slogans, one tourist woman from Syria reportedly lost conscious as she found refuge in a restaurant.  

Crowd in Taksim resists to break up 

The police put barricades in front of the French Consulate in Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue, breaking up protestors with tear gas and water canons. 

Around 9:25 pm local time, one bomb canister reported hit the head of a protestor who was hospitalized in Şişli. 

On the other hand, a TOMA vehicle allegedly crushed the foot of a woman during the protests. Police also fired rubber bullets at those - including bianet reporter Elif Akgül - who were trying to help the protestor woman. 

Minor bruises and gas-related injuries were reported overall. 

Around 7:30 pm, onlookers recorded police forces attempting to drag out protestors from coffee chains.

Despite police violence, protestors resumed their waiting and chanted slogans, formed human chains. 

Boğa Statue under gas 

Demonstrations in Kadıköy district started at early hours of the evening with thousands of people holding the photos of Belkin Elvan. 

Protestors chanted slogans like “Belkin Elvan is immortal”, “Belkin Elvan’s killer is AKP’s police” and “Killer Erdoğan”. 

Around 8 pm, the group marched towards AKP headquarters in the area, respoding police violence with firing fireworks. While police response came in the form of tear gas and water canons, one protestors reportedly got hospitalized. 

Protestors also used a public bus as barricade. The driver pulled out the vehicle later on. 

While the clashed resume in back streets, police reportedly used rubber bullets during its intervention. 

Protests spill to Nişantaşı 

People took the street in the wealthy Nişantaşı district around Vali Konağı Street. Police also put barricades to counter protestors. 

Beşiktaş also commemorates Berkin

Soccer team fan group Çarşı made a previous appeal to meet around the Eagle Statue with the slogan “Berkin’s black eyebrows are black eagle’s wings” - hinting at Elvan’s remarkably thick eyebrows. (ÇT/BM)