Some pics from Istanbul just before the riots

[Recursion]

We were there last week, just before these riots started, so FWIW I have a few photos of the area in question, plus some photos of an Islamist protest that didn't draw nearly as much police attention:

First off, Taksim square/Gezi park:





This is some of the only green space north of the Golden Horn, and is dedicated to Turkey's path as a secular republic. The government is trying to turn it into a high-end shopping mall.

Now, the Islamist protest in Sultanahmet where the police just stood in boredom:







Some graffiti from Taksim, again before the riots:



And, just because I took the pictures, some of the feral dogs that wander Istanbul:

[darkangel218]

1. What were you doing there?

Visit family? Or just visit

[Recursion]

3. Buying a rug

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018398209

[DCKit]

2. You mustafa been terrorized by those scary poopy dogs.

And, of course, the people, secondarily.

Can't allow your pics of normal people living normal lives disrupt the conversation.

All Muslins are terraists. Didn't you get the memo?

Need to watch more Faux Nooz.