Taksim Square

Taksim Square: Typically, Istiklal Caddesi is a pedestrian shopping corridor leading to Taksim Square. Tonight the store fronts are shuttered, graffiti covers the walls and everywhere there are people chanting, fists raised, faces covered in gas masks. They shout slogans like "We stand shoulder to shoulder" and "Taksim is everywhere." , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Other protesters greet them with lemon juice, pouring it onto their hands and wiping it under their eyes. Talha Sivis, an 18-year-old high school student-turned-activist, told me that once the gas starts flying "everyone is like brothers and sisters." A protester holding a Turkish flag is thrown off his feat by a stream of water from a police water canon during clashes in Taksim square in Istanbul. The water cannon mounted on the top of the truck sprays a torrent of water at a group of activists who turn tail and run. Suddenly, tear gas canisters hit the ground with loud clanks and everyone is surrounded by smoke. Two men rush to one of the cans and fling it back towards the truck, but it is too late. Tear gas floods the street. People rush away with their eyes watering and faces drenched, most gagging and coughing along the way. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.