A bunch of nonsense is happening right now, June 16th, 2:40 am. Watch here. or here.
Police have taken off the numbers on their helmets, so along with many of them wearing civilian clothing, there is nothing to distinguish between police officers. That's bad news, especially considering the following:
The Turkish military has joined in. There are vehicles that look like SWAT cars from the US, anti-riot vehicles, as well as larger military vehicles. There are still clashes with police around Gezi park.
Police are throwing teargas into the nearby Divan and Hilton hotels, one of which has served as a medical space for protesters. One person staying at the Divan Hotel, Claudia Roth, is a member of German Parliament (MP) from their Green Party. She was injured by police and she is refusing to leave, and seeks to broadcast what's happening right now.
Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reports "[The police] will intervene in everybody who try to enter the Taksim Square [treating them] as a terrorist," Egemen Bağış said hours after the police's intervention in protesters in Istanbul."
It's still safe to be in Istanbul, but it's not safe to protest right now. I'm not around these parts, but I keep getting updates, as do my roommates.
These measures are not the products of thoughtful governance, or respect for human rights. These policies are the product of survival instinct. AKP is threatened and is reacting accordingly.
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