Turkish police withdraw to allow Istanbul demo

Turkey’s state-run news agency says that police have begun withdrawing from a main Istanbul square and have allowed thousands of protesters in.

Private Dogan news agency said police removed barricades placed around the square to prevent anti-government protests.

The Anadolu Agency says police were leaving Taksim Square, after brief scuffles with protesters who hurled fireworks at withdrawing officers.

[comment]Watch CNN report on Taksim Square protests yesterday: [/comment]

(CNN via YouTube)

The protests grew out of anger at heavy-handed police tactics yesterday to break up a peaceful sit-in by people trying to protect a park in Istanbul’s main Taksim square from government plans to revamp the area.

Don't want your local park turned into a shopping centre? Expect this. http://t.co/rwnZWufTjm

— robmanuel (@robmanuel) June 1, 2013

[comment]Watch video shot by activists in Istanbul yesterday: [/comment]

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