Peter Kenyon

Police Clear Protesters In Istanbul Park

Peter Kenyon — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:38:00 +0000

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RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

The political standoff in Turkey is intensifying. Riot police there are firing teargas to prevent anti-government protesters from massing in Istanbul's Taksim Square. There were clashes with demonstrators through much of last night. Security forces sealed off the square and the adjacent Gezi Park, parts of the city that have been the focus of the protests over the last 19 days. Now, authorities say the park is off-limits to the public but many protestors say the crackdown has only strengthened their determination to return.

In Istanbul's Taksim Square, Cue The Piano Man

Peter Kenyon — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Amid the protests and clashes in Istanbul's Taksim Square, a pianist has been hauling in his instrument at night to entertain the crowds. Each time he does, the raucous crowd stills itself while he plays. In between tunes, chants rise up and he stands on his piano bench to conduct the crowd.

Turkish Protesters Refuse To Leave Gezi Park

Peter Kenyon — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

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SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Protesters who were camped out in Istanbul's Gezi Park say they won't pack up and go home despite a government offer to avoid bulldozing the park without court approval and a public referendum. Protest organizers say that other demands such as releasing detained protesters have not been met.

And meanwhile, officials have warned that if demonstrators don't leave the park, police may be sent in to clear them out. Turkey's response to more than two weeks of unrest has involved more than riot police and teargas.

Some Turkish Protesters Optimistic After Meeting With Leaders

Peter Kenyon — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:14:00 +0000

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From NPR News this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block. In Istanbul, after more than two weeks of unrest, some protest organizers are claiming a moment of success. The prime minister has given them a proposal. The government won't demolish Gezi Park until a court issues a ruling on a big development project planned for the site. It may even submit the project to a referendum.

Turkish Police Remain In Control Of Taksim Square

Peter Kenyon — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:41:00 +0000

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This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne. Good morning.

It was another night of violent clashes in Turkey between anti-government protestors and police. The protest in Istanbul's Taksim Square has been going for nearly two weeks and early on spread to other parts of the country. Turkey's prime minister says he's had enough of it.