Saturday Night

Istanbul the night before the second anniversary of the Gezi protests

Taksim Square and Gezi Park, in addition to numerous other roads and streets, have been closed to the public on the second anniversary of the anti-government Gezi protests.

In addition to the Gümüşsuyu, Mete and Sıraselviler Avenues which lead to Taksim Square, the Tarlabaşı tunnel connecting to Taksim will also be closed.

The Kabataş funicular station connecting Kabataş to Taksim, and Taksim metro station itself, are closed as well.
Istanbul police are on alert as riot police and water cannon (TOMAs) have been dispatched to prevent any gathering at Taksim Square and its surroundings.

2 years ago football fans and demonstrators occupied for 2 weeks the main sqaure in Istanbul that spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the leadership of Tayyip Erdoğan.