Just as Turkey’s government and police started to get a handle on widespread protests that have led to civil unrest, injuries and arrests, now come the trade unions.
Union members announced Monday they will stage a one-day walkout to keep alive the movement the government has tried for days to quell, The Associated Press reported. The walkout is also meant to pressure Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan into honoring his promise to protesters to review development plans for a popular and historic park — the genesis of protests on May 31.
That protest grew into a general rally against Mr. Erdogan’s conservative Islamist government, AP reported. Riot police over the weekend drove protesters from Istanbul’s Gezi Park and kept up a lockdown against vehicular traffic in Taksim Square.
Thousands of protesters tried to reclaim the square on Sundaybut were driven back by police with tear gas and water cannons, AP report.
The lockdown against drivers in the square was still in place on Monday.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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