In May 2013 a wave of demonstrations sparkled in Istanbul, Turkey as a result of urban development plans for the Taksim Gezi Park.
Demonstrations in Istanbul’s Taksim Gezi Park became violent as anger unfolded into a wider range of civil concerns freedom of the press, of expression, assembly, and the government’s encroachment on Turkey’s secularism.
I happened to be in Istanbul for a couple of weeks for business, for which I didn’t hesitate to join the protests, talk to people, and take a few shots of the events. The following are images captured by me during that time.
TAKSIM SQUARE
June 9th, 2013: Protests had begun since May 31st and Gezi Park was occupied since June 3rd
Protesters observing the crowds from above
TAKSIM SURROUNDINGS
June 13th, 2013: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issues a “final warning” to protesters to leave Gezi Park
TAKSIM SQUARE
June 13th, 2013
GEZI PARK
June 13th, 2013: Prime Minister Erdogan had alerted the protesters to clear the Park, else “Police will know how to clear it…”
TAKSIM SQUARE SURROUNDINGS
June 16th: Police had cleared Gezi Park the night before, people were expected to show up
