Occupy activists are holding a rally in New York’s Zuccotti Park to show their support for anti-government protests raging in the heart of Istanbul. Similar demonstrations are being held throughout the world.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Zuccotti Park, the
epicenter of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and plan to march 3
miles to the Turkish consulate.
The “peaceful international solidarity event” is being
held “with the goal to direct public attention to Istanbul
Gezi Parki protests and consequent police brutality of
AKP/Erdogan government!” Occupy Wall Street announced.
Demonstrators, many dressed in red, could be seen waving signs
proclaiming 'Istanbul is not alone' while others waved the
Turkish national flag.
Saturday marks what activists have dubbed as a “homecoming
celebration” to occupy the space where the movement first began
in September 2011, as well as to “take a militant stand
against the NYPD to assert our right to [nonviolently] exist in
public spaces.”
‘Worldwide solidarity’
While other ‘OccupyGezi’ protests have been or will be held in
several major US cities, including Austin, Boston and Chicago,
the protests are quickly taking on a worldwide scope.
Today! Mass rally at #Chicago Turkish Consulate in #Solidarity w #Turkey#occupygezifacebook.com/events/3832835…#direngeziparki
— Occupy Chicago (@OccupyChicago) June 1, 2013
In Brussels, Turkish nationals gathered in front of the EU Parliament in Brussels to protest against police violence in Turkey, RT’s Tesa Arcilla reports. Many in attendance were chanting anti-government protests and holding up banners.
Similar rallies showing solidarity with Turkish protesters were
held in London, Helsinki and outside the Turkish Embassy in
Nicosia, Cyprus.
#GeziLefkoşa#occupygezi#direngeziparki Turkish Embassy north nicosia Cyprus twitter.com/Dogukancy/stat…
— Dogukan Muezzinler (@Dogukancy) June 1, 2013
Protesters in Egypt also plan to gather for a Taksim solidarity protest in front of the Turkish Embassy in Cairo on Sunday evening, RT’s Bel Trew reports.
Thousands of people remain on Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul after the city was gripped by a second day of violent protest.
Clashes were sparked on Friday after police moved in to violently break up a small sit-in demonstration against redevelopment plans for the nearby Gezi Park.
The harsh police crackdown, which included the deployment of tear gas and water cannons, galvanized widespread public support for the protests and sparked similar rallies throughout the country.
The protests have evolved into public outcry against what demonstrators say is the increasingly authoritarian drive of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Son Dakika: Dünya'daki yabancı gençler 'Türkiye yalnız değilsin' kampanyası başlattı. Twitter yıkılıyor. twitter.com/sondakika_habe…
— sondakika haber (@sondakika_haber) June 1, 2013