A park in Istanbul that became a lightning rod for nationwide demonstrations against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s regime has been reopened reports NBC News. But the government would prefer if protesters stayed away, for the sake of the kids (and old people). “Blocking the parks, making them areas for demonstrations, preventing children, elderly and people from using these areas and turning this into a security problem – we would never ever allow that,” said Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu. Opposition groups disagree and are calling for renewed protests.
As you may recall, thousands occupied Gezi Park near Taksim Square when the government began uprooting trees to make way for redevelopment of the public space leading to fierce clashes between demonstrators and riot police. Eventually, authorities evicted the protesters on June 15.
A Turkish court recently sided with the people and stopped any construction on the site, except for the replanting of trees and shrubs. However, the court ruling could be appealed if elected officials decide they’d like to see the shit hit the fan again. (Image: Latuff)
