Erdogan vows to build barracks in Gezi Park

  19 July 2016    Read: 1288
Erdogan vows to build barracks in Gezi Park
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to revive plans for an Istanbul park that sparked anti-government protests in 2013, saying a failed coup bid would not stop a series of building projects, risking further polarisation in the country.
"God willing, first we will build historically appropriate barracks at Taksim, whether they like it or not," Erdogan said.

Erdogan last month floated anew plans to build a replica of the barracks, site of a failed Islamist uprising in the early 20th century. Reiterating his intent so soon after the coup attempt underscores his commitment to the project, Reuters reports.

In June 2013, Turks took to the streets to protest a plan to raze Gezi Park in Taksim Square in central Istanbul and build a shopping mall.

The action quickly morphed into a wider protest by millions at Erdogan`s perceived authoritarianism and faced a bloody crackdown, but Erdogan shelved the development.

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