Turkish police teargas thousands-strong secularist demo (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

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Published time: October 29, 2012 17:51
Edited time: October 30, 2012 00:09

Riot police use tear gas and water canons to disperse the crowd as thousands of people holding national flags marched to the mausoleum of Ataturk to celebrate the country's Republic Day in Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

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Clashes, Conflict, Human rights, Police, Politics, Protest, Religion, Turkey

Tear gas and water cannons met thousands of protesters in Ankara who had staged a pro-secular rally on Republic Day. The clashes mark a growing gap between the Islam-leaning government and the country's secular layers.

“Turkey is secular and will remain secular!” chanted protesters waving Turkish flags and banners.

The capital’s governor last week banned a planned pro-secular rally citing fears that “some groups may seek to incite anarchy in the country.” But Monday, over 30 civil society groups, led by the Youth Union of Turkey, still took to the streets.

Tens of thousands gathered in Ankara's old city to march to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the secular republic on October 29, 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

“We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal!” shouted the demonstrators, who have been angered by an Islamic bent demonstrated recently by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Since Erdogan first occupied the PM’s seat in 2003, his government has pushed a number of democratic reforms to bring Turkey closer to EU standards, such as abolishment of many restrictions on freedom of speech and the press.

But a recent education reform has been slammed by opposition groups as “promoting more Korans in schools and veil wearing.” Other criticisms stem from Erdogan’s strong political personality, with many suspecting the PM of “elected sultan” ambitions.

In recent years, Republic Day celebrations have become a common date to mark the country’s fears for its secular traditions. But as on Monday demonstrators failed to reach Mustafa Kemal’s mausoleum, where Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and other top officials had laid wreaths hours earlier.

“Great Ataturk… We stand before you with the pride of being a country that is improving its democracy, protecting human rights and freedoms, strengthening its economy and maintaining reforms. We are trying our best to surpass the level of contemporary civilization, to maintain the basic values of our republic,” President Gul wrote in the special ceremonial register at the mausoleum.

Riot police use tear gas and water canons to disperse the crowd as thousands of people holding national flags marched to the mausoleum of Ataturk to celebrate the country′s Republic Day in Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

The Ankara governor's office has banned the Republic Day rally, arguing that the state's security services received intelligence that groups might be planning "provocative" actions. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

Thousands of people holding national flags gather at the mausoleum of Ataturk to celebrate the country's Republic Day in Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

Demonstrators shout slogans and wave Turkey's flags as they stand on top of an armoured police vehicle during clashes with riot police in central Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

Riot police use tear gas to disperse people waving national flags and posters of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk during a march to Ataturk's mausoleum as they mark Republic Day in Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

Young women shout slogans as they march with thousands of people towards the mausoleum of Ataturk to celebrate the country's Republic Day in Ankara, on October 29, 2012. (AFP Photo / Adem Altan)

Comments (27)

Muzzybluezzy 31.10.2012 20:04

(second part and the last part)Nineties of Turkey were transition period to the big middle east war.For today in line with benefits of Imperialists an islamist party that seems islamic in fact exploits islamic values, came into power, in Turkey.Today, global dominant powers want that Turkey enters the big middle east war. Syria is just a leverage. It's their goal to create a big war in middle east. Moreover, thanks to wars with israel and iran plus turkey and syria it's their ultimate goal to start world war 3. If World War 3 happens, about it, it's right to remember to some expressions of Anton Johansson who is a swedish predictor (you google his name).-persia and turkey will be conquered apparently by russian troops.- russia will lead a mass attack against the united states, so u.s. forces will be prevented from reinforcing europe.-american supply depots will fall into russian hands.Up until today our all military technology supported by Usa and Israel. Hence we turks never can fight against imperialists.Whereve r imperialist countries go we should follow them, unfortunately :( the long and the short of it, dear Russian brothers, we turks were fooled by compradors of imperialism. It's a crying shame!

Undo

Muzzybluezzy 31.10.2012 20:00

(first part)
folks, title of this news is wrong. "Turkish police teargas thousands-strong secularist demo" This title is not right in my opinion that's right title here:"Turkish police teargas thousands-strong nationalist demo" Secular and rationalist people never been living in Turkey (excluding some exceptions). As a matter of fact Turkey is country of religionists and nationalists turkeys.Turkish people that are not same like them, are kicked out of the country or can not find any good job and they have to leave their country and lastly I just want to tell y'all a few things about Turkey.During turki sh war of independence agains t greeks Attaturk took fund from Soviets. But after finish war, he guaranteed to conserve benefits of imperialists, he deported all members of Ottoman, built up his domination, and created the country named Turkey(turkish for Turkiye, meaning the land that turks rule).Turkey exactly like Israel, is one of middle east countries that are tools of imperialism.During years these countries (also plus others, especially greece, egypt and until 80s Iran) just aimed at something: It is blocking that Soviets reach mediterranean sea and oil sources of arabs.After split of Soviet Union Turkey and Israel lost their important roles. Today, Kissinger said about Israel: "In 10 years, there will be no more Israel", others and a whole lot of western sources mention that Turkey borders will be changed anymore.For years imperialists have been targeted two things about Turkey. First; Turkey never will be a socialist state.Second; Turkey never will be an Islam country. For first condition, if turkey had been a socialist state, turkey would have joined Soviet union. Hence all socialist movements were blocked in Turkey, socialists of thousands were killed here, further, back in the days in Turkey because of soviet phobia, any turkish citizen could not carry any book with red cover. For second condition, Turkey must never been an Islam country. Because if turkey had been an Islam country, turkey would have influenced other muslim countries. Due to Ottoman could come out again, Turkey forever was controlled with Laicism, throughout the years... Imperialists that have one trouble named Soviets, did not want one more trouble. In a sort of way so they gained success and Soviet union fell.

Undo

laugh-at-hypocrites (unregistered) 31.10.2012 03:38

Last time those poor Turkish women will be able to walk the streets without hijabs....

.. .and after that who knows....maybe they will get raped in the streets like in Egypt.

Undo

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