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June 14, 2013

Turkish Prime Minister Vows to Delay Razing of Park in Bid to End Protests 
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Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says he will halt plans to raze an
Istanbul park until a court weighs in on the issue. The planned
destruction of the park and ensuing violent crackdown on demonstrators
sparked two weeks of mass protests in Turkey. Protesters now say Erdogan
has pledged to honor the outcome of a court case aimed at preserving the
park and hold a referendum if the court sides with the government.
Members of the delegation who met with Erdogan said they would bring his
offer back to their fellow protesters for consideration today.
Demonstrators have remained in Taksim Square and the adjacent Gezi Park
despite Erdogan's 24-hour deadline for protests to end. On Thursday,
mothers formed a human chain between their protesting children and
Turkish riot police.

Nurhan Karakus: "May God protect our children here. Anything may happen.
Everybody has kids."

Suzan Gökçek: "As mothers, we would like to end the pressure and the
torture. We do not want a dictatorial government."

 

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