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44-535: The square is flanked to the south by The Marmara Hotel, to the east by the Atatürk Cultural Centre , to the north by Gezi Park and to the west by Taksim Mosque . Several major roads converge on the square: Gümüşsuyu Caddesi, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Tarlabaşı Bulvarı, İstiklal Caddesi and Sıraselviler Caddesi. The word Taksim means "division" or "distribution" in Arabic. Taksim Square was originally

88-402: A bulldozer and chase police vehicles. Front side of AKM ( Atatürk Cultural Center ) building at Taksim Square gets covered with banners. In Ankara, police tries to disperse thousands of protesters who are attempting to march on the prime minister's office there. PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks to reporters at the airport before leaving for a three-day trip to North Africa . He threatens

132-569: A $ 2.5 billion tax fine) against critical media groups and journalists: "over the last decade the AKP has built an informal, powerful, coalition of party-affiliated businessmen and media outlets whose livelihoods depend on the political order that Erdoğan is constructing. Those who resist do so at their own risk." The government has been seen by certain constituencies as increasingly Islamist and authoritarian, An education reform strengthening Islamic elements and courses in public primary and high schools

176-403: A board rejected the project as not serving the public interest. However a higher board overturned this on 1 May, in a move park activists said was influenced by the government. The ground floor of the rebuilt barracks was expected to house a shopping mall, and the upper floors luxury flats, although in response to the protests the likelihood of a shopping mall was downplayed, and the possibility of

220-646: A capacity for 150 million passengers per year) were also influential in the public sensitivity for protecting Gezi Park . According to official Turkish government data, a total of 2,330,012 trees have been cut for constructing the Istanbul International Airport and its road connections; and a total of 381,096 trees have been cut for constructing the highway connections of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge; reaching an overall total of 2,711,108 trees which were cut for

264-578: A history of police brutality , the attack on a peaceful sit-in by environmentalists was different enough to spur wider outrage than such previous incidents, developing into the largest protests in Turkey in decades. The large number of trees that were cut in the forests of northern Istanbul for the construction of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosphorus Bridge) and the new Istanbul Airport (the world's largest airport, with

308-851: A meeting with the members of Taksim Solidarity in Ankara . When a member says that those protests have a sociological aspect, he gets angry and leaves the meeting saying "We are not going to learn what sociology is from you!". Justice and Development Party organises a mass rally called "Respect to National Will" in Ankara. Talking at the rally, PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says that "If protesters don't move out of Gezi Park, police forces will intervene". At about 17:30, police forces begin making announcements to protesters telling to leave Gezi Park. Police forces make an assault about 20:50 and clear Gezi Park. Protesters move to areas around İstiklal Street and clash with police. Meanwhile, about 5,000 protesters gather at

352-627: A museum raised. The main contractor for the project is the Kalyon Group , described in 2013 by BBC News as "a company which has close ties with the governing AKP." The Gezi Park protests began in April, having started with a petition in December 2012. The protests were renewed on 27 May, culminating in the creation of an encampment occupying the park. A raid on this encampment on 29 May prompted outrage and wider protests. Although Turkey has

396-504: A not very plausible 'attack' on their own for the benefit of the cameras." These claims were rejected by the governor of Istanbul, Hüseyin Avni Mutlu . After police tries to enter Gezi park, clashes continue throughout the night and CNN International makes an eight-hour live coverage. Pro-government media accuses CNN and Christiane Amanpour of deliberately showing Turkey in a state of civil war. PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds

440-445: A plan which failed to gain the support of prominent Muslim leaders from Trabzon. In 2012 and 2013, structural weaknesses in Turkey's economy were becoming more apparent. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2012 from 8.8% in 2011 to 2.2% in 2012 and forecasts for 2013 were below trend. Unemployment remained high at at least 9% and the current account deficit was growing to over 6% of GDP. A key issue Erdoğan campaigned for prior to

484-538: A range of restrictions on human rights, most notably freedom of speech and freedom of the press , despite improvements resulting from the accession process to the European Union . Since 2011, the AKP has increased restrictions on freedom of speech, freedom of the press, Internet use, television content, and the right to free assembly. It has also developed links with Turkish media groups , and used administrative and legal measures (including, in one case ,

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528-477: Is a main transportation hub and a popular destination for both tourists and residents of Istanbul. İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a long pedestrian shopping street, ends at this square, and a nostalgic tram runs from the square along the avenue, ending near the Tünel (1875) which is the world's second-oldest subway line after London's Underground (1863). In addition to serving as the main transfer point for

572-578: Is also home to some of Istanbul's grandest hotels including the InterContinental , the Divan , and The Marmara Hotel. Taksim used to be a favourite location for public events such as parades, New Year celebrations, and other social gatherings, although since 2016 permission has rarely been given for such gatherings. Atatürk Cultural Center ( Atatürk Kültür Merkezi ), a multi-purpose concert hall and cultural centre reopened after renovation in 2021,

616-564: Is also located in Taksim Square. It faces the Taksim Square Mosque which also opened 2021. The square used to be an important venue for political protests . Following many other violent incidents, all protests and demonstrations were banned and today police units maintain a round-the-clock presence to prevent any incidents. It is many years since either May Day or New Year's Day events were permitted to take place in

660-469: The 2002 , 2007 and 2011 elections by large margins. Under its rule the economy of Turkey recovered from the 2001 financial crisis and recession, driven in particular by a construction boom. At the same time, particularly since 2011, it has been accused of driving forward an Islamist agenda, having undermined the secularist influence of the Turkish Army . During the same period it also increased

704-465: The Taksim Stadium ), but which was demolished in 1940 during the construction works in accordance with the plans of French architect and city planner Henri Prost for Taksim Square and Taksim Gezi Park . Taksim Gezi Park is a small green park in the midst of the concrete expanse of central Istanbul. In 2013, the city municipality, wanting to rebuild the old barracks as a shopping venue on

748-478: The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosphorus Bridge) and the new Istanbul International Airport (the world's largest airport) were other factors that triggered the Gezi Park protests . According to official Turkish government data, a total of 2,330,012 trees have been cut down to make way for the airport and its road connections; while a further 381,096 trees were cut down to make way for the highways leading to

792-534: The urban development plan for Istanbul 's Taksim Gezi Park . The protests were sparked by outrage at the violent eviction of a sit-in at the park protesting the plan. Subsequently, supporting protests and strikes took place across Turkey, protesting against a wide range of concerns at the core of which were issues of freedom of the press, of expression and of assembly, as well as the AKP government's erosion of Turkey's secularism . With no centralised leadership beyond

836-648: The 2011 election was to rewrite the military-written constitution from 1982. Key amongst Erdoğan's demands were for Turkey to transform the role of President from that of a ceremonial role to an executive presidential republic with emboldened powers and for him to be elected president in the 2014 presidential elections. To submit such proposals to a referendum needs 330 out of 550 votes in the Grand National Assembly and to approve without referendum by parliament requires 367 out of 550 votes (a two-thirds majority)—the AKP currently holds only 326 seats. As such

880-691: The Asian side of Istanbul and begin marching towards the European side. Riot police forces disperse the protesters with tear gas before reaching the Bosphorus Bridge . Heavy clashes between police and protesters continue until morning at various parts of Istanbul . Justice and Development Party organises its second rally at Istanbul Kazlıçeşme Square. A general strike and protests organised by five trade unions take place in almost every part of Turkey. Strikes doesn't have any negative effect on

924-1038: The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. Atat%C3%BCrk Cultural Center Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.133 via cp1102 cp1102, Varnish XID 551599216 Upstream caches: cp1102 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:53:26 GMT 2013 Gezi Park protests in Turkey Anti-government protesters 61st Government of Turkey Others Non-centralised leadership 7,548,500 actively in person during June in Istanbul alone (unofficial estimate) at least 3,545,000 actively in person (government estimate) A wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Turkey began on 28 May 2013, initially to contest

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968-457: The constitutional commission requires agreement from opposition parties, namely the CHP, MHP and BDP who have largely objected to such proposals. Moreover, the constitutional courts have ruled that current president Abdullah Gül is permitted to run for the 2014 elections, who is widely rumoured to have increasingly tense relations and competition with Erdoğan. Furthermore, many members of parliament in

1012-679: The construction of waste-dumps, nuclear and coal power plants, mines, factories and hydroelectric dams. 24 local musicians and activists in 2012 created a video entitled "Diren Karadeniz" ("Resist, Black Sea"), which prefigured the ubiquitous Gezi Park slogan "Diren Gezi". The government's stance on the civil war in Syria is another cause of social tension in the country. Controversy within progressive communities has been sparked by plans to turn Turkey's former Christian Hagia Sophia churches (now mosque) in Trabzon and possibly Istanbul into mosques,

1056-507: The demonstrators and people sleeping in tents, and tried to disperse them with tear gas , pepperspray and water cannons . The demonstrators criticized Prime Minister (now President) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his uncompromising stance on this controversial issue and for the Turkish police's excessive use of force against the demonstrators. The large number of trees in the forests of northern Istanbul that were cut down to provide access to

1100-443: The derivative " chapulling ", given the meaning of "fighting for your rights"). Many users on Twitter also changed their screenname and used çapulcu instead. According to various analysts, the protests were the most challenging events for Erdoğan's ten-year term and the most significant showing of nationwide disquiet in decades. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has governed since 2002, winning

1144-549: The governing AKP have internally also objected by arguing that the current presidential system suffices. Erdoğan himself was barred from running for a fourth term as prime minister in the 2015 general elections due to AKP by-laws, largely sparking accusations from the public that Erdoğan's proposals were stated in light of him only intending to prolong his rule as the most dominant figure in politics. The constitutional proposals have mostly so far been delayed in deliberations or lacked any broad agreement for reforms. The initial cause of

1188-483: The government has run roughshod over the projects' opponents in a dismissive manner, asserting that anyone who does not like what is taking place should remember how popular the AKP has been when elections roll around." Environmental issues , especially since the 2010 decision of the government to build additional nuclear power plants and the third bridge , led to continued demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara. The Black Sea Region has seen dozens of protests against

1232-535: The head by a riot policeman during the protests at Ankara Kizilay Square . He dies 14 days later due to his injuries. PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan describes the protesters as "a few looters" in a televised interview. He also criticises social media, calling Twitter a "menace" and an "extreme version of lying". At night, police forces try to disperse protesters gathered at Beşiktaş district. Clashes between police and protesters continue until next morning. Beşiktaş football team supporter group Çarşı members hijack

1276-460: The image "encapsulates Turkey's protests and the severe police crackdown", while Reuters calls the image an "iconic leitmotif ." The size of the protests grows. Police raid the protesters' encampments. Online activists' calls for support against the police crackdown increase the number of sit-in protesters by the evening. Police carry out another raid on the encampment in the early morning of 31 May, using water cannons and tear gas to disperse

1320-830: The municipal bus system, Taksim Square is also the terminus of the Hacıosman-4. Levent-Taksim-Yenikapı subway line of the Istanbul Metro . Taksim's position was given an extra boost on June 29, 2006, when the new Kabataş-Taksim Funicular line F1 connecting the Taksim Metro station with the Kabataş tramway station and Seabus port was opened, allowing people to ascend to Taksim in just 110 seconds. Surrounding Taksim Square are numerous travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and international fast food chains such as Pizza Hut , McDonald's , Subway , and Burger King . It

1364-604: The original Gezi Park protest. Twenty-two people were killed and more than 8,000 were injured, many critically. The sit-in at Taksim Gezi Park was restored after police withdrew from Taksim Square on 1 June, and developed into a protest camp , with thousands of protesters in tents, organising a library, medical centre, food distribution and their own media. After the Gezi Park camp was cleared by riot police on 15 June, protesters began to meet in other parks all around Turkey and organised public forums to discuss ways forward for

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1408-517: The point where the main water lines from the north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of the city (hence the name.) This use for the area was established by Sultan Mahmud I . The square takes its name from the Ottoman era stone reservoir which is located along one side of the square. Another significant building that once stood on the square was the 19th century Taksim Artillery Barracks ( Taksim Kışlası , which later became

1452-842: The process decided earlier had been declared as "on-hold". 10,000 gather in Istiklal Avenue. According to governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu , 63 people are arrested and detained. Police use of tear gas is criticised for being "indiscriminate." The interior minister, Muammer Guler , says the claims of the use of disproportionate force would be investigated. Clashes continue throughout the day. Republican People's Party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu announce that they will move their planned rally to Taksim Square instead of Kadıköy. Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says he has approved that decision. Around 15:45 police forces retreat from Taksim Square. Thousands of protesters gather at Gezi Park and Taksim Square. Protester Ethem Sarısülük gets shot in

1496-538: The protesters saying "We are barely holding the 50 percent (that voted for us) at home." Turkey's deputy prime minister Bulent Arinc offers an apology to protesters. 22-year Abdullah Cömert dies after being hit in the head by tear gas canister during the protests at Hatay . PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks to his supporters outside of Istanbul Atatürk Airport on his return from a four-day trip to North Africa. Erdoğan blames "interest rate lobbies" claiming they are behind Gezi protests. His supporters chant "Give us

1540-403: The protesters to surrounding areas and setting up barricades around the park to prevent re-occupation. Throughout the day, the police continue to fire tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons at demonstrators, resulting in reports of more than 100 injuries. MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder and journalist Ahmet Şık were hospitalised after being hit by tear gas canisters. The executive order regarding

1584-432: The protesters was described as being broad, encompassing both right - and left -wing individuals. Their complaints ranged from the original local environmental concerns to such issues as the authoritarianism of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, curbs on alcohol, a recent row about kissing in public, and the war in Syria . Protesters called themselves çapulcu (looters), reappropriating Erdoğan's insult for them (and coined

1628-574: The protests was the plan to remove Gezi Park , one of the few remaining green spaces in the center of the European side of Istanbul. The plan involved pedestrianising Taksim Square and rebuilding the Ottoman-era Taksim Military Barracks , which had been demolished in 1940. Development projects in Turkey involve "cultural preservation boards" which are supposed to be independent of the government, and in January such

1672-449: The protests. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dismissed the protesters as "a few looters" on 2 June. Police suppressed the protests with tear gas and water cannons. In addition to the 11 deaths and over 8,000 injuries, more than 3,000 arrests were made. Police brutality and the overall absence of government dialogue with the protesters was criticised by some foreign governments and international organisations. The range of

1716-652: The site of the park, began forcefully removing protesters who had set up camp in the park. After news spread of the police brutality , thousands of people rallied in the Occupy Taksim movement, to stop the demolition of the park. As of 2013, the status of the demolition project was in limbo, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has the Police stationed in and around Taksim Square ready with riot control equipment to deter any large demonstrations. Taksim

1760-586: The small assembly that organised the original environmental protest, the protests have been compared to the Occupy movement and the May 1968 events . Social media played a key part in the protests, not least because much of the Turkish media downplayed the protests , particularly in the early stages. Three and a half million people (out of Turkey's population of 80 million) are estimated to have taken an active part in almost 5,000 demonstrations across Turkey connected with

1804-579: The square, with much of the surrounding area usually fenced off for the day and the Metro station often closed to prevent people gathering. In 2013, protests took place in Taksim in opposition to the reconstruction of the Ottoman era Taksim Military Barracks (demolished in 1940 to create Gezi Park ) and a shopping centre on the site of Gezi Park. In the early morning of May 31, police forces moved in on

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1848-406: The two projects. Police use tear gas to disperse the peaceful protesters and burn down their tents in order to allow the bulldozing to continue. Photos of the scene, such as an image of Ceyda Sungur , a young female protester (later nicknamed the "woman in red" ) holding her ground while being sprayed by a policeman, quickly spread throughout the world media. The Washington Post reports that

1892-584: The way, we will crush Taksim Square". Riot police forces enter Taksim square early in the morning. They make announcements that they will not be entering Gezi Park and their mission is to open Taksim Square to traffic again. Most protesters gather at Gezi Park, but a small group carrying banners of the Socialist Democracy Party retaliate using molotov cocktails and slingshots. Some people like Luke Harding from The Guardian claims that undercover police threw molotov cocktails , "staging

1936-519: Was approved by the parliament in 2012, with Erdoğan saying that he wanted to foster a "pious generation." The sale and consumption of alcohol in university campuses has been banned. People have been given jail sentences for blasphemy . While construction in Turkey has boomed and has been a major driver for the economy, this has involved little to no local consultation. For example, major construction projects in Istanbul have been "opposed by widespread coalitions of diverse interests. Yet in every case,

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