Is Gezi Park Turkey’s Tahrir Square?

Lesley Abdela, Special to CNN
4 minute read
Updated 8:13 AM EDT, Tue June 4, 2013
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with Turkish parliament on Tuesday, June 18. Erdogan said he had no intention of restricting anyone's democratic rights. "If you want to make a protest do it, do it, but do it within the framework of law," he said.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with Turkish parliament on Tuesday, June 18. Erdogan said he had no intention of restricting anyone's democratic rights. "If you want to make a protest do it, do it, but do it within the framework of law," he said.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz, center, is joined by others as he makes his silent protest in Taksim Square. As word of his gesture of protest spread, Gunduz became known as the "standing man." Protests that began as a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/17/world/europe/turkey-protests/index.html">demonstration against the planned demolition of a park</a> have grown into general anti-government dissent across the nation.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz, center, is joined by others as he makes his silent protest in Taksim Square. As word of his gesture of protest spread, Gunduz became known as the "standing man." Protests that began as a demonstration against the planned demolition of a park have grown into general anti-government dissent across the nation.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
People carry the coffin of Ethem Sarisuluk, who was killed during recent protests in Turkey, on Sunday, June 16, in Ankara.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
People carry the coffin of Ethem Sarisuluk, who was killed during recent protests in Turkey, on Sunday, June 16, in Ankara.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Tens of thousands attend a rally to hear Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak in Istanbul on June 16, a day after he ordered a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Gezi Park.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Tens of thousands attend a rally to hear Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak in Istanbul on June 16, a day after he ordered a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Gezi Park.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester faces water cannons during a clash with police at an anti-government demonstration in Ankara on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester faces water cannons during a clash with police at an anti-government demonstration in Ankara on June 16.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Police walk through tear gas during protests at Kizilay Square in central Ankara on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Police walk through tear gas during protests at Kizilay Square in central Ankara on June 16.
DADO RUVIC/reuters/LANDOV
Police detain protesters after a crackdown on a demonstration at Istanbul's Gezi Park on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Police detain protesters after a crackdown on a demonstration at Istanbul's Gezi Park on June 16.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
A protester runs during clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the streets adjacent to Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester runs during clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the streets adjacent to Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 16.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Taksim Square on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Taksim Square on June 16.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images