Taksim square began a movement against the government of Istanbul. 400 trees were threatened by a Mall complex. It would destroy one of the last green spaces in huge city. When the protests began so did the water cannons and tear gas from the police, trying to force demonstrators away from the construction. Fighting back, the peaceful protest became violent and thousand poured into the square. Others sent pizza and food to support the effort. Tens of thousands people, many university students and entire families came to join the effort. The prime minister said many inflammatory remarks against the protesters but apologized anyway. The police pulled back and the atmosphere turned to celebration. However, protests erupted in most major cities. Many of the people believe Islamic values were slowly creeping into law. During the same week that the trees were about to be destroyed a law was passed curbing the sale of alcohol, viewed as an Islamic value not shared by many citizens. (Although the people continue to elect the most conservative Islamic party into office. The combination of pro-business and conservative values appeals to the majority however those groups don't always agree on other major issues.) And so the struggle for political voice continues. Peaceful protests for justice and freedom is a quality of keeping the Sabbath holy.
Check out our Rome-ing reporter, Luther, as he shows you footage at Taksim Square, defying the State Department's warnings...
http://youtu.be/3acnUgFjY-E
By the way, Luther says the sunset on the Aegean Sea's beach at Kusadasi (near Ephesus) is pretty cool. Literally the wind off the waves is quite cool.
