Turkish Police, protesters clash in Istanbul

ANKARA - Turkish police continued to clash with thousands of demonstrators protesting against government's plan to demolish a park in Istanbul on Saturday, local media reported.

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in central Istanbul May 31, 2013. Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannon on Friday at demonstrators in central Istanbul, wounding scores of people and prompting rallies in other cities in the fiercest anti-government protests for years. [Photo/Agencies]

According to Turkish Daily News, police used tear gas and pressurized water against protesters who were trying to reach the main square in Istanbul, while angry demonstrators pelt stones at the police.

Thousands of protesters also marched along the Bosporus bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of Istanbul.

In Ankara, people gathered in front of the Turkish parliament building to protest the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park. They threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Protests were also reported in Eskisehir, Mugla, Konya and Bolu.

The nationwide demonstration was triggered after the police broke up a peaceful sit-in against the demolition on Friday. Twelve protesters were injured and at least 63 people were detained during the morning raid, according to Istanbul  Governor' s Office.