Thousands of secularists protest Islamization in Turkey, as they also have recently in Egypt. Why doesn’t the mainstream media call them racist, bigoted Islamophobes for resisting Islamization? Or is resisting Islamization only racist and bigoted when it is done in the U.S. or Europe, but not in Muslim countries?
“Turkey protests: Unrest rages in Istanbul and Ankara,” from the BBC, June 1 (thanks to all who sent this in):
Turkey has entered a second day of violent protests, with fresh clashes between police and demonstrators in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.
The unrest began as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, but escalated after police used tear gas.
Tear gas was again fired on Saturday at protesters in Istanbul and Ankara.
In a defiant speech, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the park project would go ahead.
He also said that police would remain in Taksim Square to preserve order.
Correspondents say that what began as a local issue has spiralled into more widespread anger at the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
Transport lockdown
Hundreds of demonstrators marched over the bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of Istanbul on Saturday morning to try to reach the main square.Police fired tear gas to try to disperse them and some protesters threw rocks.
What began as a small scale, peaceful protest to clear Gezi Park, one of the few remaining green spaces left in Taksim, has escalated into some of the worst scenes of public disorder and police violence seen in Turkey in recent years….
Police also fired water cannon and tear gas in Taksim Square as demonstrators chanted “unite against fascism” and “government resign”….
‘Creeping Islamisation’
Demonstrators had gathered in Gezi Park on Friday to contest the controversial redevelopment project aimed at easing congestion around Taksim Square, which involved uprooting trees.Opponents of Mr Erdogan’s plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul.
Istanbul’s governor said a dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained after Friday’s clashes.
Correspondents say the park issue has helped highlight unhappiness among young people towards the government and AK Party over what they see as creeping Islamisation….