Taksim Square

The Taksim Square protests in Turkey began in May 2013 as a small sit-in against the planned demolition of Gezi Park, one of Istanbul’s few green spaces. The protest quickly escalated into a nationwide movement after police used excessive force to disperse demonstrators. Citizens across Turkey rallied against what they saw as growing authoritarianism under then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, demanding greater civil liberties and freedom of expression. Taksim Square became a symbol of resistance, uniting people from diverse backgrounds. The protests were met with heavy police crackdowns, resulting in injuries and arrests. Despite suppression, the movement left a lasting impact.

A nighttime scene of a group of people gathered around a monument with Turkish flags and banners. Two people are leaning on each other, looking at a phone in the foreground. Other individuals are sitting, standing, or walking nearby. The monument has flags hanging from it and is illuminated by artificial lights.
Group of people sitting and lying on the ground outdoors at night, some looking at their phones, a woman lying down is browsing her phone while others are engaged in conversations or activities, with a tent and supplies visible in the background.
Group of young people sleeping on a bus, some using backpacks and blankets, with a worn interior and graffiti on seats.
Protest scene with a line of police in riot gear facing a crowd of protesters holding flags and banners, some of which have text and symbols. The police are wearing helmets and holding shields, while the protesters are raising flags, including one with a red star and another with yellow and red markings. The scene appears tense with some water bottles and debris on the ground.
A large crowd of people, some wearing masks, appears to be fleeing or navigating through a collapsed or damaged area with debris and metal structures, with a smoky or dusty sky in the background.
Police officers in helmets and gear, some with shields, firing tear gas canisters in an urban area with tall buildings at dusk.
Nighttime scene of a city with a building on fire, smoke, a fire truck with an extended ladder, and people on the street.
People protesting at night, some wearing masks and waving flags, with a Turkish flag visible.
People resting and socializing in an outdoor makeshift campsite with tents and blankets, some sitting on benches, in an urban area with graffiti and banners.
People watching fireworks in a park at night with trees and buildings in the background.
Three men standing around a small fire on a street at night, with three seated young women behind a yellow barrier covered with graffiti and posters, in an urban area with brightly lit buildings in the background.
Police officers in riot gear with helmets and shields amid tear gas spray on a city street.
Two men wearing masks and formal clothing engaged in a confrontation during a protest or riot, with one man throwing an object and smoke rising in the background, in an urban area with banners and signs.
People climbing over a graffiti-covered wall amidst smoke and debris during a chaotic protest or riot.
A large crowd gathered at night for a public event, with a person playing a piano illuminated by red lights. Many people are seated on the ground, some wearing hard hats. There are tents, flags, and tall buildings in the background.
A person holding a Turkish flag amidst orange smoke during an evening protest or demonstration. Two men are visible nearby, one with sunglasses and a bottle, the other partially obscured. Tall buildings are in the background.
A man inside a flipped and damaged car surrounded by graffiti-covered walls at night.
Protesters on a float holding banners and a lit flare, one person wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, against a backdrop of flags and banners in front of a tall building during dusk.