‘This park is for Istanbul’s people’

said the Istanbul governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu three hours before the park was closed again for the public.

Taksim Gezi Park, which has become the heart of the anti-government movement sweeping the nation, was briefly opened to public use today July 8 before access to the park was blocked again by police officers three hours later.

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Police closed entrances not only to the park, but also roads leading to the city center, including Harbiye, Gümüşsuyu and İstiklal Square, the most populated point of the city.

“This park is for Istanbul’s people. Turning a park belonging to our society into an area for protests is a torture to society. Istanbul’s people will claim their park. I will provide for exercising the right to protest to the ones asking us,” Mutlu said.

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